—PYJ Opens Up But…
The political leader of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) Prince Johnson has predicted that when the majority of Liberians, through the December 8, 2020 national referendum, vote for the reduction in the tenure of the Liberian presidency from six years to five years, President George Weah will serve for third term.
According to the Nimba County Senator, the Liberian leader has served three years now. He indicated that voting for such reduction of the presidential term mains all of those years that President Weah has served will be zero and he will be given the constitutional mandate to go for the third term.
“When the referendum passes , this current six years is a zero years for us ,after Weah gone for two more terms, that is the third term,” Senator Johnson indicated.
Senator Johnson, speaking to his congregation Sunday in Paynesville said history has shown that there is no incumbent Liberian leader who ever lost election.
Senator Prince Johnson who is collaborating with the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) led Government said Liberian politicians always have problem with him whenever he says the truth.
But following his statement on Sunday, October 25,2020, Senator Johnson clarified that the comments on the Weah third issue were his personal view and not the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), a political party that he heads as a standard bearer .
The Nimba County senator told the media that he will not contest for the Liberian Presidency in 2023 but he will support President George Weah’s reelection in line with their collaboration.
At the same, the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel McGill refuted Senator Johnson’s statement. He indicated that President George Weah is not interested in third term.
According to Mr. McGill, President Weah is interested in reducing his term to 11 years Presidency contrary to Senator Johnson’s assertion
Recently, Bomi County Representative, Edwin Snowe, called on the National Elections Commission (NEC) to postpone the conduct of national referendum on December 8.
The Board of Commissioners of the NEC proclaims that the NEC will jointly conduct the special senatorial election along with the referendum and the two Representative By-elections slated for December 8, 2020.
There are several provisions within the Liberian Constitution that citizens are going to either vote for or against. The include the reduction of the tenure for the presidency , the tenure of senators and representatives, dual citizenship among others. The Bomi County lawmaker and one of Liberia’s Representative at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament said the postponement of the referendum will give the citizens and other stakeholders more time to understand those provisions and their intricacies.
According to him, the constitution provisions that focus on the tenure of the president, senators and representatives are critical components that need to be looked at carefully for informed voting decisions by the citizens.
He said with the constitution referendum standing on its own, it will allow the National Elections Commission to conduct awareness that will inform the citizens relating to the various provisions and how to vote .
Rep. Snowe further indicated that presently, the National Elections Commission is confronted with multiple challenges that include the cleaning of the voter roll update.
Rep. Snowe also urged authorities of the NEC and the Supreme Court of Liberia to do those things that will gain the public trust and confidence during these elections by ensuring that the country’s democracy is sustained.
At the same the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Nathaniel Mcgill refuted such statement indicating that president George Weah is not interested in third terms.
According to him president Weah is interested in reducing his tern to 11 years presidency contrary to Senator Johnson accusation.
