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Liberia: We Failed Our Partisans
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The Inquirer (Monrovia)
24 March 2008
Posted to the web 24 March 2008
Sebo Daniels
A staunch member of the ruling Unity Party (UP) Senator John Ballout has taken the Standard Bearer of the party, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Vice Standard Bearer Joseph Boakai and other top executives including himself for failing to live up to the objectives of the party for the past two years.
Speaking at a well attended meeting organized by some disgruntled youths of the party which also brought together top officials, including the Vice Standard Bearer, Boakai, over the weekend, Senator Ballout lamented that it was not too late to right the wrong about unfolding issues in the party.
He explained that for too long partisans of the party have been left in the wilderness with no one even attempting to show gratitude for their selfless dedication exhibited during the 2005 elections, which brought the party to power.
The Maryland County Senator expressed that in order for the party's activities to become more viable in fostering the spirit of unity, love and oneness, he will not sit down supinely and see the party fail to deliver the goods to the people.
At that juncture Senator Ballout cautioned the youths not to disobey any of the officials of the party as they go about making their request to the party hierarchy for a peaceful resolution to their plight.
He then stated that the time has come for the party to open its headquarters nationwide to begin immediate work in preparation for 2011 pending election so that the party can emerge victorious once again.
However, Senator Ballout averred that his stance against the Standard Bearer and Vice Standard Bearer including some top executives of the party was in no way intended to create division but rather to strengthen the party's capacity to lead the people of Liberia in years to come.
"If we forget about the people who put us in power, then who do we expect to vote us in office in the next election?" Senator Ballot asked amidst jubilation from partisans.
Meanwhile, the youths of the party who were unceremoniously requesting the resignation of the Party Chairman, Dr. Charles Clarke for failing to manage the party properly released several counts when they got the true story about the Chairman's attitude towards the party.
Dr. Charles Clarke, in his presentation regarding his removal, broke his silence by saying that the problem is with Mr. Morris Saytumah who he alleged had all along being submitting list of appointees to the Standard Bearer other than collaborating with the party hierarchy. When Mr. Saytuma was contacted by phone, his phone rang endlessly up to press time.
In their presentation the youths listed several counts for consideration by the standard bearer and others.
They spoke about scholarship program; the opening of district headquarters of the party in all counties; the establishment of a micro loan scheme and the flying of the party emblem by UP officials on their vehicles among several key issues including appointments to government positions and the filling of vacancy with in the party.
For his part, the party Vice Standard Bearer of the Unity Party (UP), Joseph N. Boakai conceded to the youth's claims and called on all partisans to muster their efforts to strategize and set up a genuine structure that will pave the way for prosperity in the party.
Although he said he would inform the Standard Bearer, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on the issue, but the youths reminded the Vice Standard Bearer that it was urgent that President Sirleaf report to the party headquarters as soon as she can so as to discuss the prevailing issue.
Responding to questions from Executive Mansion reporters who traveled with her to Voinjama, Lofa County, where the cabinet convened a three day cabinet meeting chaired by her, President Sirleaf addressed the prevailing development obtaining in the party.
Answering a question that the youths of the party held a protest action in-front of the party's headquarters to demand the removal of the chairman and registered their dissatisfaction over certain issues unfolding within the party, said the youths have the right to hold a peaceful demonstration and this is exactly what they have been doing, stressing that she is not sure that the recent action of the youths is a strike as it may be termed.
President Sirleaf said consultations are on-going with the disgruntled youths of the party and officials of the party, to find a solution to the problem.
"Let me be very clear, we tried our best to respond to the needs of Unity Party partisans as much as we can. I do not have to go into details, but the government is a government of all the people, all parties, all tribes, religion," she added.
President Sirleaf said: "We hope the Unity Party will use the ideals of their name UP to help unite us and not to divide us over the issues of government and jobs."
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Meanwhile, at a meeting of the party held last weekend with the youths present, Maryland County Senator, John Ballout, upon hearing the request from the youths, pledged US$ 500.00 as his initial contribution for UP's scholarship program and micro-finance project.
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