As Liberians get set to go to the poll on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 to vote in the much anticipated presidential run-off election between the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and the Unity Party (UP), the Bishop of Liberia and West Africa United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic (UCJC), Samuel Fornatee Nugba is cautioning all political actors to desist from causing chaos and accept whatever result that will be announce by the National Election Commission (NEC). It can be recalled that after the conduct of the October 10, 2023 presidential and legislative elections, the NEC announced the Coalition for Democratic Change and the Unity Party as the two top parties that will participate in the run-off election. The NEC through its Chairperson, Madam Daviedetta Brown-Lansanah asserted that none of the 20 presidential candidates that took part in the election secured the require 50% plus one vote, of the total votes cast across the country to be declare as winner of the October 10 poll. She also announced November 14, 2023 as the date set for the conduct of the run-off election between President George Weah of the CDC and Ambassador Joseph Boakai of the UP. However, speaking at the official climax of the 84th anniversary of the Abosso Apostolic Faith of Jesus Christ in the Borough of Kru Town recently, Bishop Nugba noted that Liberia does not belong to any individual or political party, as such, the will of the people should be respected at all times.
According to him, the NEC is the only body by law that is authorized to announce the official results of any national election, including that of the upcoming presidential run-off. The renowned Liberian Cleric then called on President George Weah, former VP Joseph Boakai as well as their supporters and every citizen to accept the outcome of the November 14 poll. The statement of Bishop Nugba follow several electoral violent incidents that ensued between some supporters of the ruling CDC and the opposition UP, that led to several deaths and injuries. “I don’t know what Liberians are gradually turning Liberia into with these electoral violence cases all over the country. This is really sad. You cannot be killing yourself for a politician because another person disagreed with you, but no matter what, anyone who has a devilish plan against this country, God will surely arrest them and save this Nation,” he declared. Bishop Nugba also frowned at recent comment made by the Standard Bearer of the Unity Party, Amb. Joseph Nyuma Boakai that it will be the end of the country if the elections are rigged, noting that although he does not support the rigging of the any election, the former Vice President should not have made such a threatening statement. At the same time, Bishop Samuel Fornatee Nugba has called on all Liberian journalists during the electioneering period to remain professional and report nothing else, but the truth. “To the media people, especially those who will be reporting the preliminary results and the ones that will be on the radio, I beg you in the name of God and peace, to consider your responsibility as a citizen too in keeping the peace, because a single misinformation and disinformation provided by you can cause serious instability in the country,” he warned.
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