By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Email fellajuahstepheng@gmail.com
Taking to social media Monday in a post titled, “Unity Party, Do the Right Thing”, Madam Gbowee whose name has been linked to several opposition political institutions, but is yet to openly identify with any political party, sounded a strong caveat to the Unity Party about former Vice President Boakai’s reported ailing health.
Gbowee addressed her Monday evening, January 16 Facebook post to the Unity Party officials – including her aunt Dabah Varpiliah.
She said, “In the interest of peace, development, and the future of Liberia, I would like to ask you all to kindly allow Uncle Joe Boakai to retire from politics and focus on his health. He deserves to spend his golden years interacting with his grandkids, enjoying family time.
“I would also like to take this time to ask you all to reconsider your partnership with other political parties and form a merger that will provide a viable option for the Liberian people. The writings are on the wall; my Uncle Joe is in no position to contest! Uncle Joe, please be well – I pray God’s blessings upon you.
“Dear Unity Party, Liberia’s political future, and interest lie and rest squarely in your hands! It is high time we put egos aside and put Liberia and her interest first! Do the right thing!!!!”
The cautionary words from Madam Gbowee come in the wake of recent reports about Ambassador Boakai’s health condition, for which the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Information issued a press release stating that the government had initiated contacts with Mr. Boakai’s family to assist in whatever way possible. However, the Unity Party immediately rebuffed the Government’s statement as a “diabolical lie” meant to score political points.
In her response, dated January 17 2023, titled ‘A response To My Niece – Leymah Gbowee, Varpiliah said, “I am constrained to respond to you on Facebook knowing that you have never been inaccessible to me as I have never been in like manner. But I have to do this because you have chosen this medium to communicate your view on a matter you know little about and definately seems you dont care to know.
“Regarding your Uncle Joe Boakai’s health, our values dictate that we are to empathize and wish well to those who are down and often give helping hands. But without reaching out to your Uncle Joe and not knowing much about his health status, you have taken upon yourself the role of a medical doctor to pronounce him as not being in the “position to contest” and proposing a “political merger” for the sole purpose of winning an election. This, I believe is a well thought through political move which doesn’t represent the purpose of peace and development” as indicated by your post.
“Your uncle Joe Boakai, like any human being, was sick, taken to the hospital as it is normally done when one falls sick and he is now well, discharged from the hospital, and home with his family awaiting full recovery. I believe that he looks forward to a niece’s call or visit from you, whenever you are back in the country and other well-wishers”, she stated.
Regarding Madam Gbowee proposal for a political merger, Varpiliah noted that mergers are not the only way to do politics in 2023. She said there are collaborations and endorsements. The Unity Party is currently collaborating and remains engaged with several other political parties and individuals, some of whom have publicly declared support for your Uncle Joe’s presidential bid ahead of the October polls.
She pinpointed, “We are in several of these political arrangements and look forward to the full inclusion of every other Liberian who believes that President George Weah is both a political and a democratic error that must not be repeated in October. The Unity Party is fully cognizant of it’s role and responsibility in rescuing this Country from what is a total collapse under the CDC regime and will do nothing to disappoint our people”
Astonishingly, some stalwarts of the Unity Party and media handlers of VP Boaikai on Saturday, January 14 flood the Internet with a short podcast showing VP Boakai in pajamas from his hospital bed saying he is well and might even consider attending the National County Meet finals at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Complex on Sunday.
