-Cummings says if elected president; criticizes Weah’s life style
The political leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) Mr. Alexander Benedict Cummings (ABC) has strongly criticized President George Manneh Weah for what he calls the Liberian leader living a life style that is not sensitive to the plight of the poor people of Liberia.
Instead of flying private jet, the immediate past chairman of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), said President Weah should put in place austerity measures to cut down on wasteful spending.
He vowed to bring to book government officials that are involved in abuse of public offices and corrupt acts.
The ANC boss said if elected president in 2023, he would prosecute officials of President Weah’s administration who he accused of embezzling public moneys for themselves while the Liberian people suffer.
Speaking on Spoon Talk on the evening of Monday, April 19, 2021, Cummings said if elected as president in 2021, there would be no ‘sacred cow’ in his government, adding that there has to be consequences for wrongdoing.
“My first day in office as president of the Republic of Liberia, I will issue an Executive Order empowering all anti-corruption institutions to immediately begin auditing all government ministries, agencies, commissions and public enterprises. We need to restore public confidence in the ant-graft institutions and set precedence for good governance by prosecuting officials who steal public moneys,” Cummings stressed.
Mr. Cummings said Weah-government is unable to attract foreign direct investment because it lacks accountability and transparency.
The ANC political leader accused President Weah of interfering into affairs of the Judiciary Branch of Government; politicizing the Liberia National Police and manipulating the Legislature.
“The way to change Liberia is by holding each other accountable in keeping with the rule of law. When president, I would like to see an independent National Legislature that shares the same vision that we have to move our country forward and liberate the Liberian people,” he said.
The ANC leader frowned at those who insult President Weah, admonishing them to desist and find a better way to address their issues to the presidency.
“We have to understand that Weah is the President of Liberia and so we need to respect him as president no matter our disagreement,” Cummings said.
It can be recalled that the House of Representatives recently suspended lawmaker Yekeh Kolubah, Montaerrado County electoral #10 Rep, for 30 meeting days for what majority of his colleagues call Rep Kolubah’s constant habit of openly insulting President Weah. Rep. Kolubah is a member of the CPP of which Cummings is a ranking member.
The Liberian politician hopes that this government, in the last three years, would change for the good of the Liberian people, saying, “We hope that this government will change in its last three years. We can’t pray for the Liberian people to continue suffering, things have to change,” he said.
If and when elected president, the ANC leader has listed revenue growth as top priority of his government, stating that he will grow the revenue from the present envelope of 500 million to one billion United States dollars.
He said in the first one hundred days of his presidency, he would set up a special team to specifically grow government’s revenue.
“I will grow the revenue by closing all loopholes, and develop the eco-tourism sector, which will bring more revenue to government,” he vowed.
Alexander B. Cummings is one of four political leaders in the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) including the former ruling Unity Party (UP), Alternative National Congress, (ANC), Liberty Party (LP) and ALL Liberians Party (ALP) that have come together ahead of the Country’s elections in 2023.
Cummings has been criticized for not keeping his promise that he made in 2017 to give only one trial to running for the presidency in Liberia.
His critics believe if Cummings would not keep a simple promise he made in 2017, it is most likely he would not be trusted for whatever he says.
