Former footballer George Weah is set to be sworn-in as Liberia’s President on Jan. 22, which is the third working Monday of January as stipulated in the Liberian Constitution after defeating the country’s Vice President in a re-run election.
Weah was elected President of Liberia in the 2017 election, defeating the incumbent Vice President Mr. Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Chairman of NEC, Mr. Jerome Korkoya, performed the ceremony at the commission’s headquarters in Monrovia.
The Former ace Footballer who represented Liberia at the African Cup of Nations on two occasions, winning 60 caps and scoring 22 goals for his country became involved in politics in Liberia following his retirement from football and was presented a certificate of return by the National Elections Commission (NEC) In the 2011 election.
George Weah formed the Congress for Democratic Change and ran unsuccessfully for President in the 2005 election, losing to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the second round of voting. He also ran unsuccessfully as Vice President alongside Winston Tubman. Weah was subsequently elected to the Liberian Senate for Montserrado County in the 2014 elections.
According to local media, 66 out of the 73 elected lawmakers were certificated, leaving out seven who are facing legal challenges over their election in the Oct. 10 general polls. Speaking at the occasion, the NEC boss reminded the newly elected public officers of the huge responsibility that comes with the mantle of leadership entrusted to them.
He said “The certificate we are presenting to you represents conferral of legitimacy to pronounce you to the world as the duly elected officials. “It is also an embodiment of the power, trust, and aspiration reposed in you by your various constituents and the people of Liberia as a whole. “Expectations are high to change the people’s living conditions through the laws, policies, and programmes of the incoming government.
The NEC boos also stated that the final tallies indicate that Weah of CDC polled a total of 722,185 votes representing 61.5 percent, while Vice President Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party (UP) finished with 457,579 or 28.5 percent. He acknowledged the contributions of international partners including ECOWAS, AU, USAID, EU, and UNDP, which led to the successful conduct of the elections. He also expressed appreciation to all contestants in the elections for respecting the rule of law by exploring judicial means to seek redress after the elections.
Meanwhile, the president-elect, George Weah, has described his election as a unifying factor in the country. Weah pledged to fulfill his campaign promised of improving the lives of Liberians, calling on members of the legislature to put aside politics and work in the interest of the country. He reiterated his assurance of greater freedoms, saying he would not interfere with the tenants of democracy, especially political dissent. He disclosed “I went to Boakai not to make news but because the campaign is over and it is time to do the Liberian people’s work. “Our quest is for all Liberians to work together to move our country forward; in the interest of the people let’s work”. He added “I am your friend but my interest is the Liberian people.
George Weah will take over from President -Ellen-Johnson-Sirleaf
