J. Nathaniel Daygbor
18 November 2009
Monrovia — Continuing his campaign in Caresburg and Bensonville, Aspirant Clemenceau Urey has abhorred what he called "Ethnic Politics" which is raising its heads once against4 as evident by remarks emanating from certain political quarters. His position is perhaps against the backdrop of what ethnic politics has caused the country in time past, as many believe that such trend of politics and other vices helped to plunge Liberia into decays of woes.'
The Unity Party Candidate has strong spoken against such politics and referred to it as a nightmare that has eaten up all fabrics of the Liberian society.
Mincing no words in condemning this ugly act, the ruling Unity Party candidate said Liberian democracy and democracy in Africa is not mature enough for such deadly politics, adding that such politics is divisive and it creates more harm than good for the citizens Liberia.
Speaking to thousands of supporters, partisans and well wishers in the conference room of the Frank E. Tolbert Memorial government school in the Township of Bensonville, yesterday November 17, 2009, Mr. Urey is quoted as saying that by-election is little thing and according to him, it should not be used to divide the people of Liberia who still visualize the full consequences and memories of 14 years of protracted civil unrest.
It can be recalled that during the by election, some politicians used the Congo and native divide to denied Mr. Urey who have an Americo-Liberian background and as such, natives should not vote in a Congo man and in response to those politicians, Mr. Urey maintained, he's strongly convinced that no one is pure Congo Man or Americo-Liberian, noting that all Liberians be it native man son or Congo Man, we all are interconnected.
"I have a Congo Background granted, my mother is a Grebo woman, I also have relatives from the Bassa, Lorma, Kpelleh, Kissi and other tribes so, do you still consider me as Congo Man?" he asked. He noted that his father used to speak the Kpelleh tribe fluently, giving him the ardent advantage to communicate with the locals in the community and because of that, I managed to speak some part of Kpelleh" she said.
He promised that when he ascends to the upper House of the National Legislature, he will directly speak against ethnic politics, noting that it will not take the country anywhere but to bring about total hit for each other, something he said will hinder the developmental agenda of the country.
Mr. Urey and high power delegation toured some parts of Monrovia, including Careysburg, the University of Liberia Fendell Campus, and Bensonville among others. While on those interesting and exciting campaign trips, Mr. Urey appealed to marketers, youths, women groups, the elders and traditional leaders, as well as seeking their blessings for the upcoming by-election slated for November 24, 2009.
The youth leader of Bensonville, Harrison Othello Yarn, pledged the youths to Mr. Urey and disclosed that they were in full preparedness to work to ensured total victory for their kinsman, and during the last campaign which qualified Mr. Urey for the runoff election, he explained, the youths of Careysburg Township were left out but now Mr. Urey himself appeared before them and asked for their assistance. "Victory is certain for the Unity Party strong man" the enthusiastic youth averred.
He pointed out that some lawmakers in the national legislature representing Montserrado County are not birth citizens of the County and due to that, he added, most of them pay much attention to their counties of origin than Montserrado, adding that residents of Careysburg should learn sense by voting into office someone who hails from their soil.
Prof. Tarpeh Dismisses 'Allegiance To Urey' Claims
The Alliance for Peace and Democracy (APD) Senatorial Candidate in the first round of the By-elections for Montserrado County, Professor Wilson Tarpeh has dismissed as untrue media reports that he has endorsed the candidacy of Unity Party (UP) Senatorial Candidate Clemenceau Urey in the run-off elections slated for Tuesday, November 24, 2009.
He described the report as mischief by some unscrupulous individuals who are going about exploiting money and other economic gains from candidates under the pretext of giving them vote, noting that he will decide who to support if necessary.
A release issued yesterday quoted the University of Liberia professor as saying the that report of allegiance to Mr. Clemenceau Urey in the runoff elections against the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) Senatorial Candidate Geraldine Doe-Sheriff has no iota of truth, both in contest and practice as neither the APD nor the candidate has issued such statement of support.
Media reports widely speculated in Monrovia have revealed that Prof. Tarpeh, who came third in the first round of the Senatorial by-elections according to the National Elections Commission (NEC) has endorsed the candidacy of the UP Candidate, Clemenceau Urey.
According to the reports, a group of five unnamed organizations at the University of Liberia under the guidance of Mr. Boakai Jaleiba was quoted as saying that the friends of Professor Wilson Tarpeh has endorsed the candidacy of UP Clemenceau Urey in the run-off election for the vacant senatorial seat following the demise of Hannah Brent.
Clemenceau Urey Makes Big Catch
"This is untrue, it's a diabolical lie orchestrated by few misguided individuals. I have never issued such statement. If I want to make such statement, it will be made public; it is a matter of constitutional choice," he said. He disclosed that representatives of the two political parties currently in the race are in consultation with him in order to lend his support during the runoff elections, but categorically denied that he has endorsed either of the two candidates.
"While I remained resolved and law-abiding throughout the process, I will not support any candidate in secrecy or coercion. While I also reserve the right to exercise my political franchise or remain neutral in the process, the decision to support any candidate lies in my preview," Mr. Tarpeh said.
Meanwhile, Prof. Wilson Tarpeh has commended those who voted for his senatorial candidacy during the November 10, 2009 by-election which he lost; adding that their courage, patriotism and maturity exhibited during the process has proved his image.
The UL Professor noted that his quest for innovative change in the country coupled with his contributions both financially and morally will remain the fulcrum for a better Liberia where citizens irrespective of social, ethnic or political back ground can contribute positively to the betterment of the society.
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