By: Stephen G. Fellajuah
Email fellajuahstepheng@gmail.com
Opposition Vision for Liberia Transformation Party (VOLT) Political Leader, Dr Jeremiah Z. Whapoe over the weekend for the first time in Nimba County, particularly Gompa City, publicly announced his bid to contest for president of the Republic of Liberia in the upcoming 2023 presidential and legislative elections.
Speaking to scores of Nimbanians, including chiefs, women, youths and elders, Dr. Whapoe made it clear that in 2017 he contested as presidential candidate but did not win the election because of few misteps which he has resolved to correct along the way.
“The first thing I want to tell you before going forward, is that this coming election in 2023, I Jeremiah Z. Whapoe, a proud son of Nimba County, will be running for the president of Liberia. This public announcement had not been made anywhere or any other county this is my first time and I am telling you all because you are my own people” Dr. Whapoe said during his welcoming and endorsement ceremony by the women of Nimba.
On Friday September 23, VOLT Political Leader and his entourage arrived in Ganta City, Nimba County, to make his declaration of intent for the presidency of Liberia, in the presence of citizens from diverse background of the county.
Dr. Whapoe along with officials of the party was received and welcomed at the Nengehin Town Junction, by the Chairlady of Ganta Women, Madam Famatta Lombaye and escorted to the Concerned Ganta Women Hall, as the elders, women, youths, as well children and the Traditional Bush Master (Country devil) graced the event.
While voicing out his ambition for the presidency of Liberia, the VOLT Political Leader said his presence in Gompa City at the point was intended to tell his people first about his interest to contest and to get their blessings and mandate because it is necessary to his political processes.
“The reason I came to Nimba first and choose the women to make this announcement is because they are my mothers and sisters and they cannot deny pregnancy therefore, they cannot deny their own son. I believe you will multiply this message to million because that is the gift that God has given you. You will produce and we will be million and successful. 2023 your son will be running”, he further stated.
Touching on his opponents, he cautioned the women and other Nimbanians to be wise because in this journey many will be coming and will be seeking the same position, saying to the women listen to their statements and make good judgement by the impact they have made to the county.
“Some of your sons will say they want war crimes court that is the song they are singing all over the place. I am not saying war crimes court is wrong, but I do not think think it will help put food on your table. Many promised to give you businesses because they are businessperson, but they have not done that neither are they having businesses in Liberia” Dr. Whapoe mentioned.
Narrating further he explained his vision for Liberia and how he intent to transform Liberia through agriculture. Whapoe told the women that in 2017 he promised Liberia during the debate that he was going to transform Liberia through agriculture so that the least child who parents cannot afford food for them to eat, will be able to eat three time a day by Liberia growing what it eats.
According to him, today, he is the biggest farmer across Liberia and is producing rice, cassava, and peanut in Nimba, Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpolu County, adding that if he can commit to that promise it clearly indicates that when given the space, he will do more to uplift the country from its economic backwardness.
Meanwhile, after listening to his vision, ambition and aspiration of their son, Ganta Women Chairlady, Madam Famatta Lombaye thanked and appreciate Dr. Whapoe for reflecting on his roots and returned home to get his mothers’ blessings to enable him to take the helm of power of the country.
“Nimba can produce president and we will produce president in 2023 and that president will be no other person but you our own son Dr. Jeremiah Z. Whapoe. We listen to all you have said, and we endorse you for 2023. You have our blessings, and we will stand by you until this victory is brought to us next year after the election” Madam Lombaye assured.
She however, strongly debunked notion that Nimba is not ready neither will they produce president, saying that ” people who say that Nimba County can’t produce president are lying. Nimba can produce president and 2023 we will elect our son Dr. Whapoe as the president of Liberia.
