Benoni Urey's All Liberian Party (ALP) Sunday, October 29, backtracked its previous criticisms against the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) when it endorsed President George Weah's re-election bid ahead of November 14, Presidential Run-off.
President Weah accepting the pledge of support said, "Family tree can bend but it can't break," referring to Mr. Urey and family as his family members and that they fell apart due to irreconcilable political differences then.
Mr. Urey and his entire family along with some officials of ALP pledged their support to Mr. Weah at a well-attended program decorated with both parties' paraphernalia ahead of the run-off.
The endorsement comes days after another critic of President Weah, Talk Show host Henry P. Costa, who led two successive demonstrations against the regime, pledged his support to his (Mr. Weah) re-election ahead of the November 14 Presidential run-off.
Partisans at ALP endorsement of Pres. Weah's reelection bid. Photo credit: Dah Me Take It
The ALP had been the main ally of former Vice President Joseph N. Boakai of the Unity Party before going into the October 10, 2023, Presidential and Legislative elections. Relations got soured weeks before UP's vice Presidential pick, which led to their breakup.
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During the period of their strong ties, both UP and ALP were the first two parties to walk out of the Collaborating Political Parties before subsequently dragging Mr. Alexander B. Cummings to court for forgery, a charge Mr. Cummings repeatedly denied before his acquittal in 2022.
Urey's endorsement of President Weah ahead of the runoff did not come as a surprise to Liberians, it had become obvious that his next destination would have been the CDC where he once found shelter in 2017.
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The endorsement ceremony was held despite a split within the ALP over the decision to endorse Mr. Weah ahead of former Vice President Joseph Boakai.
Mr. Urey commenting on the disagreement within the party over the endorsement of Mr. Weah indicated, that he as Political Leader of ALP, he commands the majority of the party therefore, the endorsement is legit.
Responding to the ALP's support pledge, Mr. Weah, while welcoming Mr. Urey and his ALP partisans promised to uphold and defend the trust and confidence, they had reposed in him.
Earlier, he acknowledged that the political division had broken the family ties he held with the Ureys. He said the pledge of support to his re-election bid has also helped to restore the broken relationship they had as family.
In closing Mr. Weah encouraged Liberians to remain peaceful during the campaign period.
