The standard bearer of the Grassroots Development Movement (GDM) who placed third at the general elections, Edward Wade Appleton, has endorsed the candidacy of former Vice-President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s presidential bid in the 14 November 2023 run-off elections. He has also rallied all qualified Liberians to take back their country from the reported misrule of President Weah and his ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
GDM’s endorsement program for Boakai was held Tuesday, 7 November 2023 at the GDM headquarters in Congo Town, in Monrovia, the country’s capital.
Mr. Appleton obtained 40,271 of the total votes cast or 2.20 percent in the 10 October 2023 presidential and legislative elections, emerging with the third largest number of votes.
Appleton’s position at the polls underscores the importance of his endorsement, giving Boakai a significant edge in the race against the incumbent President Weah’s bid.
At the endorsement ceremony, Mr. Appleton stressed that Liberians are suffering in their own country where natural resources are in abundance due to the poor leadership style of the Weah-Taylor regime.
He listed the equal participation of the citizens in the decision-making process of the country, hope for ordinary people, employment, job creation, economic empowerment and justice among others as key things lacking in the CDC government.
According to him, the political manifesto of the UP aligns with his political party, adding that during their critical thinking on which way to go through a vote cast, over 70% of the total votes went the UP way.
“As a people-centred leader, I had no objections to the decision of the party overwhelmingly picking the Unity Party, so I had to accept the decision willingly and that’s why we’re here to demonstrate that decision in the interest of the Liberian people”, Mr. Appleton said.
Receiving the endorsement at the GDM Head office in Congo town, Boakai emphasised the need for a change in leadership and expressed gratitude to those who have chosen to support his candidacy.
“We are going to rescue Liberia because of the quality of people we have in our team to make Liberia better. I want to thank them for making the choice to help rescue this country”, Boakai said.
