The opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), has announced October 18, 2025, as the date for the groundbreaking of its new multi-million-dollar party headquarters, a pronouncement that has drawn criticisms from many Liberians.
Former House speaker, J. Fonati Koffa, Chairman of the CDC Headquarters Construction Committee, made the disclosure during a press conference held at a resort in Monrovia.
Koffa said, the ceremony will be held opposite the Greater Refuge Church in Congo Town, marking “a historic milestone in CDC’s development.”
However, what was intended to be a moment of celebration for the former ruling party, quickly turned into a storm of public criticisms.
Many have questioned the wisdom of investing in a lavish party complex at a time when the nation faces skyrocketing prices, unemployment with deteriorated social services.
For a party that ruled for six years without building its own headquarters, critics argue that the project is “both belated, and ill-timed.”
“After years in power with little to show in terms of national progress, the CDC now wants to erect a monument to itself,” said a civil society advocate. “It shows where their priorities truly lie.”
Mr. Koffa disclosed that 52 percent of the project’s donors are CDC members, while 18 percent are affiliated with the ruling Unity Party (UP); a revelation that has sparked further controversy.
Another 10 percent are independents, 10 percent represent other opposition parties, and 10 percent chose to remain anonymous.
The mention of Unity Party contributors coming from the CDC’s traditional political rival, has fueled speculations about the “behind-the-scenes political deals, and questionable alliances within country’s fragile democracy.”
When pressed for details, Koffa quipped, “If you want to know the names of our Unity Party contributors, meet me in Room 1026.”
Many viewed the remark as dismissive and evasive, highlighting concerns about transparency and accountability.
Political commentators warn that the move reflects a growing culture of political elitism detached from the daily realities of ordinary citizens.
“While teachers go unpaid, and hospitals lack basic medicine, our politicians are busy raising funds for buildings to glorify themselves,” said one analyst in Monrovia.
The CDC, once seen as the voice of the poor, and marginalized, now faces growing criticisms for its perceived disconnect from the suffering of its base.
The timing of the groundbreaking, amid widespread economic despair, has been described by many as “tone-deaf, and politically insensitive.”
As the October 18 ceremony nears, key questions remain unanswered: Who exactly is funding the project; what are the political implications of cross-party contributions? And what message does this send to a population still reeling from poverty and disillusionment?
While party officials tout the new headquarters as a symbol of “progress and institutional growth,” many see it as yet another reminder of the widening gulf between the political class, and the struggling citizens they claim to represent.
Whether the event will revive the CDC fading influence or deepen public distrust in the country political establishment, remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the party priorities are under the microscope like never before.