A former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has led the election observer mission of West African Elders Forum (WAEF) to Liberia for the country’s 2023 general election.
This was made known in a statement by National Publicity Secretary of Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), Chinyere Oge-kalu which was sent to Africa Today News, New York on Tuesday morning.
‘The presidential election taking place on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, in Liberia has attracted more than a passing interest of the international community of democrats, like IPAC, whose national chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, is leading a delegation of IPAC’s observer mission team made up of political party leaders from Nigeria,’ the statement reads.
It notes: ‘Efforts by undemocratic forces to reverse gains made in entrenching democracy in the West African sub region in recent time have become a cause for serious concern around the globe, especially, in Nigeria.’
Read Also: Popularity Of Coups Means Democracy Failing In Africa – GEJ
‘To underscore the importance of this mission, the former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, is leading the African Elders Forum, among other notable regional bodies to observe the elections.”
While addressing journalists upon arrival in Monrovia, Yabagi was quoted as saying: ‘As chairman of the largest organisation of political parties in Africa, my expectation is that this election in Liberia will rekindle our faith in democracy and its tenets in the West African sub-region and in the continent.’
IPAC’s observer mission team is expected to return to Nigeria on October 11, 2023.
Africa Today News, New York reports that Liberians are currently about to vote in a fiercely contested presidential election, with former football star George Weah, 57, making a bid for a second term.
His main challenger is former Deputy President Joseph Boakai, 78.
Mr Boakai has waged his campaign under the slogan “Rescue”, arguing that the West African state went downhill during Mr Weah’s first six years in office.
But Mr Weah is confident of victory, saying that he has kept Liberia stable and has improved education.
This will be the first time that a generation of young voters, born in peace-time Liberia, will vote for a president.