George Weah, the newly defeated incumbent president of Liberia, has just demonstrated that he is truly a man who embraces the tenets of sportsmanship as he was one time a world footballer of the year, otherwise known as Ballon d’Or.
In the recently concluded election, where there was no outright winner, but in the rerun of the election, President Weah has conceded defeat to the opposition – the veteran political old war horse – Joseph Boakai.
This is a rare demonstration of spirits of sportsmanship in a continent where the old guards and old breed political office holders will not only use their powers of incumbency to suppress the opposition candidates, but also result in using the instrumentality of the state forces to harass, intimidate and suffocate both the opposition candidates and electoral umpires in order to perpetuate their political powers in the office.
Today, President Weah has shown to the rest of the world that power is held in trust on behalf of electorates (the people), and that in another electoral circle, the people can decide otherwise.
He said while congratulating Joseph Boakai that, although his political party- CDC lost the election, but the victory belongs to the people of Liberia who have expressed their preference for the opposition candidate.
This is a new political paradigm shift that must be embraced if the African continent is determined to end political brigandage and undue hegemony that has left the continent far behind in the comity of the continents.
There is no doubt that President Weah’s political stewardship will come under brutal and fierce scrutiny, and many political analysts will forensically x-ray his administration since 2018 when he took over from the first African elected female president – Mrs Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
The victory recorded in Liberia in this just concluded election must be seen as a victory for democracy, rule of law, and acceptance of people’s choice in democratic contest.
The rest of African countries must see this as a veritable example of how election should be conducted bereft of interference and manipulation from the presidency and that the outcome of such election must be respected even if it is against the incumbent political authority.
President Weah has dignified himself and was gracious in defeat by not only conceding defeat but also congratulating Mr. Boakai. The future of Liberia and her economic recovery now rests on the shoulder of the 78 years old political veteran – Joseph Boakai. President Weah can now look forward to enjoying his well-deserved retirement from politics.
History will accord Mr. George Weah a prominent chapter as a sportman, who was the first and only African and black footballer who won the prestigious award in 1995.
After he retired from active football, he went on to fortify himself with the power of education in America, went on to become a parliamentarian, and subsequently vied for the highest political office in his native country.
And when the people he sworn constitutional oath to govern decided that they have had enough of his service, the people of Liberia exercised their political franchise and elected a new leader, the outgoing president Weah graciously bow in defeat and he will now handover power in a spirit of sportsmanship, which he truly exemplifies.
Congratulations to president Weah, congratulations to the president-elect, and congratulations to the good people of Liberia.
By Olusola Alao
