The recently concluded first-round presidential elections in Liberia have brought to light a miscalculation by the Unity Party that may have cost them their fifty-percent-plus-one objective.
The party's theory that "the people have resolved" did not resonate as strongly as anticipated, as the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), led by George Weah, received more votes and emerged as a strong contender.
It is worth noting that the CDC, despite its missteps, such as the harmonization policy, the botched mop-up exercise, cases of corruption, unsolved murders, and persistent drug issues, still commanded a loyal following. This indicates that the Unity Party must abandon its mantra of "the people have resolved" and adopt a more strategic approach to attract voters from the 13% who voted for other parties while retaining their existing support base.
One of the reasons for the CDC's success lies in George Weah himself, who is often portrayed as the "footballing president". However, his political acumen goes beyond his past footballing success. Weah has built a formidable political machinery emphasizing party loyalty, battle cries, paraphernalia, and an uncanny sense of confidence. These factors have seduced numerous Liberians to the CDC, particularly the youth, who form a significant portion of the population. Informal opinion polling conducted during the campaign suggests Weah is still widely revered.
Weah's ability to engage and mobilize people resources, leveraging the cultural significance of football, has made the CDC a force to be reckoned with in a politically immature environment that values popularity, ethnicity, sentiments, and crowd politics.
Given these circumstances, the Unity Party must cautiously approach the second round of elections and bring their A-game to the campaign trail. They must engage in a nationwide campaign, rebuild bridges with the CPP, reach out to influential figures such as the Ureys, Costa, ALCOP, Gongloe, and Moniba, and invest in short-term high-impact projects in strategic locations. The party must rethink its strategy and acknowledge that the "the people have resolved" attitude, which may have bred reticence and hubris, is no longer tenable.
Furthermore, the Unity Party needs to clearly articulate what sets them apart from the CDC, as it is evident that many of the CDC's missteps were also committed by the Unity Party. They must address these concerns head-on and present a compelling alternative that resonates with the electorate.
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What is evident from the first-round results is that the people have not yet resolved. The CDC's lead indicates that there is still work to be done to tip the scales in their favor. The Unity Party must reevaluate its campaign strategy, focusing on strategic engagement, mobilization, and messaging to win over undecided voters or lean toward other parties.
The Unity Party's miscalculation in relying on the belief that "the people have resolved" has hindered their electoral success. The CDC's ability to mobilize support, particularly among the youth, has tipped the scales in their favor. The Unity Party must now regroup, reassess its approach, and bring its best game to the second round of elections to secure victory. The people are unresolved, and additional efforts are required to sway the electorate.
About the Author: P. Ernest Parker, Jr. is a CPA with an MBA/MS in general and strategic management from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University. He is pursuing a doctorate at Regent University in strategic leadership and provides consultation on diverse financial management and technical accounting policy issues.
Editor's note: The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Daily Observer's editorial stance.
