Joe Boakai Leads Alex B. Cummings in Recent Likability Poll Across the Liberian Political Spectrum

by Chuchu (Alex) Jones

Managing Editor, Global African News

Published 9/04/21 at 3am

Boston, MA- Alexander B. Cummings is well-accomplished and respected by Liberian intelligentsia, but Joseph N. Boakai seems to be the more desired choice to head the CPP Ticket and win George Weah in 2023, surprisingly. While Alex Cummings appeals to millennials and upper-class educated Liberians, especially mid and high-income earners in America, who are unfortunately a small minority of about 10% of Liberia's population, the remainder 90% of Liberians voters and supporters are split between George Weah, Joseph Boakai and incoming opposition candidates like Taiwan Gongloe. Among that 90%, Joe Boakai seems to have about 50% support across all ages, tribes, professions and academic background, according to GA Latest Research poll. This is both shocking and comforting. Firstly, research now shows Boakai heading the CPP ticket could defeat George Weah in the first round; of course, this is depended upon his VP choice. Secondly, Boakai has now garnered enough support from a cross-section of Liberians and not just the Liberian professional elites, who are mostly living in the diaspora; or, his Unity Party and Lofa

County tribesmen and partisans. Furthermore, Joe Boakai has not only secured the confidence of some of Liberia’s loudest and most influential voices i.e., Henry P. Costa (like or hate him) who is one of the most significant men in Liberia’s politics today, and Darius Dillon, who until recently, was the opposition’s lead kingmaker until his credibility was lost to lies and scandals, and who was also once Alex B. Cummings’ ally and trump card to winning the CPP top ticket, according to GA News inside sources.

Alex B. Cummings' FoL Interview, Aug 2021

How Did Cummings Reach This Low Point?

Alex Cummings and the ANC were once gaining momentum following the 2017 elections that brought Weah to power. Liberians quickly realized they had elected the least right choice to govern Liberia, and a Cummings 2023 presidential ticket was on the rise. Then, Cummings surprisingly joined the CPP Coalition with the hope of succumbing the other three political leaders: ALP Benoni Wilfred Urey; Liberty Party Sen. Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence and Unity Party Joseph N. Boakai, with the hope of using his corporate wit and millions to buy off their loyalty and head the opposition coalition ticket that will likely faceoff with President George Weah in 2023 presidential elections. By and large, his plan to win the hearts and souls of the other CPP leaders failed, and even if he could somehow manage to win their delegates this December, there is little hope he would get their unflanking support and loyalty as head of the CPP Presidential Ticket, according to people close to the various campaigns.

source: NEC Official 2017 President Results

Nonetheless, Cummings' CPP scheme has done something far more astounding. It has bolstered and legitimized Urey and Boakai (once politically unpopular and dwindling in national polls, owing to their previous associations with Charles Taylor’s NPP and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's corrupt and nepotistic presidency, respectively. The public sentiment and feedback about the CPP coalition holding together with Cummings' inclusion has also been negative, and the press has resented Cummings somehow due to his political belligerent: wanting to be president come-what-may, and without any public or previous government experience.

Still, Cummings and his diehard members and associates (a Liberian minority) are relentless, and in some ways stubborn. They are overly confident of the CPP Coalition holding together, and working for a Cummings' Presidency. So far, they have been utterly wrong. Their overexuberance and angelic convictions in their political leader's failed political strategies and bluff isn't paying off, and they can't see the obvious [ that he doesn't have enough supporters to win the CPP ticket or the presidency in Liberia at the moment], as everyone else clearly sees.

Furthermore, the bogus CPP Framework document of 2020 that was endorsed by Cummings also revealed that the CPP formation was a potential power grab by Cummings and others to shortcut their way to the presidency, rather than any real effort to provide true leadership and institute accountability in Liberia. A controversial phrase in the document, which was later revised, stated that high government positions were to go to only those who were present, visible, and active within the CPP coalition, which leaves out thousands of well-qualified Liberians. This offers a peek into Cummings’ political philosophy "he must obtain and share political power with his friends and cronies at any cost", according to some permanent Liberian media and political observers.

Excerpts of SpoonTV Discussion on political endorsements and attacks within CPP

This brings us to my final point of why Cummings is also unfavorable with many Liberians. It's not that he is particularly unliked, it's more of Boakai being more likable and relatable. Unlike Cummings, Joe Boakia identifies with ordinary Liberians in more ways than one. Moreover, Vice President Boakai may have had a checkered political past, and he has even been involved with some of the worse and most corrupt leaders and regimes in Liberia (Samuel Doe, Amos Sawyer, Ellen Johnson); be it as it may, he has managed to retain some integrity and trust amongst Liberians. In principle, he is authentically himself (an old poor-man that can be trusted), or more like a Liberian version of Bernie Sanders or Joe Biden, who, heavily relies on others due to his advanced age and lack of superior intellect and eloquence. Whereas, Cummings on the other hand is this rich corporate executive who knows it all. In other words, he's the Michael Bloomberg character of Liberia that believes that successfully running corporations and accumulating personal riches is enough to lead his country. Donald Trump also rings a bell!

The Way Forward

The Liberian people are no longer dazzled by personal riches and acclaimed, or the overly educated and self-inflated, according to GA News Polls. They have seen it all: the western-educated and personal success stories in the persons of Dr. Amos Sawyer and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf that provided little good. Liberia today ranked .48 (below Sudan) on the African Human Development Index.

Liberians have also experienced the leadership of self-inflated and eloquent narcissistic strongmen like Charles Taylor, and international soccer celebrities like George Weah that have proven disastrously useless to unity, growth, and economic development in Liberia.

Liberians now want, and rightfully so, a simple, practical, and principle-minded person like Joseph Boakai, Taiwan Gongloe, or-once upon a time, a Darius Dillon type individual that is modest, average, and relatable.

Moreover, Liberians would like to see Cummings run for other public offices (perhaps run for a seat in the Senate or representative before running for president), or better yet, for his to put his managerial and corporate skills to work in Liberia to help create jobs and improve our economy rather than spending his time and money on becoming president, or even vice president at all cost.

The most likely CPP ticket to win Weah in 2023, according to our research, is Joseph Boakia and Sen. Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence of Grand Bassa County, another vote-rich county that is key to winning the presidency. Other well-respected and accomplished Liberians that would make a brilliant VP choice includes Mr. Stanton Witherspoon (Spoon Network CEO) or Sara Beysolow Nyanti (one of the highest-ranking Liberians at the UN, and who currently heads the UN Office in Nepal). Witherspon or Nyanti are two of the most experienced Liberian managers today and could greatly help the frail old man meet many of his local and international state obligations should he get presidency. They could also easily appeal to both insiders, independent and younger Liberian voters.

Joseph Boakai most favorable VP Choices to win George Weah ( R-L, UN Diplomat Nyanti; SpoonTV's CEO Witherspoon; Sen. Karnga-Lawrence). source: GA News Poll

Meanwhile, if Cummings ceases to head the CPP presidential ticket, he is unlikely to accept the Vice President role under Boakai- since he considers it a docile position in Liberia politics. A more suitable role for him would be to head the Liberia’s Investment Commission or Central Bank, two of the most important position in Liberia's economic recovery, while Cllr. Taiwan Gongloe takes on an associate or chief justice role to help create a strong and credible judiciary system and rule of Law in Liberia. Notwithstanding, this means a lot of opposition politicians must put their personal egos aside to win Weah in the first round and establish an inclusive government that can ably serve the people. Remember, uniting Liberians and improving Liberia credibility and economy is more important than a "simply" Joseph N. Boakai win!

Conclusion, Who Liberians Want?

Most Liberians want a CPP leader that is both popular with people on the ground and in the diaspora (where the bulk of campaign funds will be raised to defeat George Weah in 2023). They also want someone they can trust-who cannot be bought, or who doesn’t try to buy everyone else's delegates (a troubling and more subtle form of corruption).

As we approach the last phase of the CPP’s selection process this December, so to speak, Cummings will have to double his efforts in convincing the pundits (and not just his followers) that he sees other Liberian leaders as equals in order to help his poll numbers and chances. He must prove that he can put his personal ego or ambition aside to work with and listen to his less accomplished and sophisticated compatriots, in the interest of our country.

More importantly, he must show he is capable of listening to the voices of the people at large, and not just his loyal clans and supporters, so as to save his political career that is disappearing despite his enormous sacrifices to Liberia over the past five years. Sadly, his money, global connections and pristine corporate résumé alone will not do the trick. He desperately needs more key Liberian support, and a lot more people in his corner as time runs out.

About the Author

Chuchu (Alex) Jones October 10th, 2020 interview, FoL

ChuChu (Alex) Jones is managing editor of Global African Network. He is also a media and finance profession, and an independent derivative trading. Alex is also co-founder of The Movement to Make Liberia Better (MLB), and the Liberian Business and Economic Forum. He lives in Boston, MA.