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https://www.nairaland.com/7913726/liberia-presidential-run-off-oppositions-boakai

MONROVIA, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Liberia President George Weah on Friday conceded election defeat to opposition leader Joseph Boakai after a tight race, ending a presidency marred by graft allegations but helping to ensure a smooth transition of power in the once volatile African nation.

Boakai, 78, a former vice president who lost to Weah in the 2017 election, led with 50.9% of the vote over Weah's 49.1%, with nearly all the votes counted, the country's elections commission said on Friday.

The result marks a stark turnaround from 2017, when global soccer legend Weah, buoyed by a wave of hope, trounced Boakai with 62 percent of the vote. Many have since grown disillusioned with the lack of progress: Poverty, unemployment, food insecurity and poor electricity supply persist.

"A few moments ago, I spoke with president elect Joseph Boakai to congratulate him on his victory," Weah said on national radio. "I urge you to follow my example and accept the results of the elections."

Weah's concession paves the way for Liberia's second democratic transfer of power in over seven decades - the first was when Weah swept to power six years ago.

His comments stood out in West and Central Africa where there have been eight military coups in three years, eroding faith in democratic elections. When elections do go ahead in the region, accusations of fraud abound and results are frequently contested in court.

Instead, Boakai supporters in the capital Monrovia danced, shouted and honked car horns in the rain after the near-final results were announced.

"We have a job ahead of us to do and I'm excited that the citizens have given us approval," Boakai told Reuters shortly after the results were announced. "First and foremost, we want to have a message of peace and reconciliation."

Boakai, a softly spoken career politician, emerged neck-and-neck with Weah in the first round of voting in October but below the 50% needed to secure an outright victory, leading to Tuesday's run-off.

Liberia is struggling to recover from two civil wars that killed more than 250,000 people between 1989 and 2003, and from a 2013-16 Ebola epidemic that killed thousands.

Many felt that Weah did not follow through on promises to alleviate poverty and improve the country's crumbling infrastructure.

Arkoi Sarkor, 43, told Reuters she supported Boakai because she was not able to get a job during Weah's term.

"I am very hopeful because I know Boakai is... a man of principles and I know when he gets in here, he is going to bring changes," she said. "Some things that were not done, that were not correct, he will put it in place, I am hopeful of that."

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/joseph-boakai-brink-liberian-presidency-vote-count-nears-completion-2023-11-17/

When you don't have a born-to-rule mentality like Emilokan and Bubu.

But why na 78 years old former vice president come win? Dat one fit be "from top to bottom" oh!

This can never happen in Nigeria, but thanks to the former president Goodluck Jonathan that made it happen, the current political atmosphere in Nigeria can never see this happen, but I know someday we would get there.

Man don loot enough yams for his generations unborn.

So he is not bothered

These are people who believe in the sanctity of the ballot

Unlike Nigeria where some leaders will want to die on seat and let their relatives succeed them🤣,George Weah just transcend his sportsmanship side to politics! Kudos to him 🙌

78 years old former vice president??

Abi my eyes dey pain me....

It is finished

Good for himself, how do he expect his people to vote for him again when they see your blood son representing another country in the game of football.

Very unpatriotic leader.

Congratulation to Joseph Boakai

modernWays:
Good for himself, how do he expect his people to vote for him again when they see your blood son representing another country in the game of football.

Very unpatriotic leader.

So if you're in his son shoe, you will chose to play for Liberia?

Addme:
Previous Thread
https://www.nairaland.com/7913726/liberia-presidential-run-off-oppositions-boakai


https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/joseph-boakai-brink-liberian-presidency-vote-count-nears-completion-2023-11-17/[/b]

nlfpmod
Mynd44

Boakai would never have won if the first ballot as well as the runof were to conducted by Nigeria's INEC (yakubu)
Inec would have declared Weah the winner from the first ballot and ask Mr. Boakai to go to Court over the 50% constitutional benchmark & then at the Nigeria Court, the Judges would have interpreted the 43.48% votes scored by Weah at the first ballot to be equivalent to the constitutional required 50% votes benchmark. And Mr. Boakai 43.44% votes at the first ballot would have been dismissed on technical grounds 😎

IVORY2009:
This can never happen in Nigeria, but thanks to the former president Goodluck Jonathan that made it happen, the current political atmosphere in Nigeria can never see this happen, but I know someday we would get there.

Why are you speaking from both sides of your mouth. In one breath you said it can never happen in Nigeria and yet praised GEJ for the same thing you said can never happen in Nigeria

Difrent:
Why are you speaking from both sides of your mouth. In one breath you said it can never happen in Nigeria and yet praised GEJ for the same thing you said can never happen in Nigeria

What was your English score in secondary school, if I may start from there?

Difrent:
Why are you speaking from both sides of your mouth. In one breath you said it can never happen in Nigeria and yet praised GEJ for the same thing you said can never happen in Nigeria

Don't mind them.... They speak ill of Nigeria at every given opportunity even when the situation does not warrant it..

atleast it`s in the country record that a football legend have ruled the country. am waiting for jayjay okocha or kanu to contest for nigeria president.

modernWays:
Good for himself, how do he expect his people to vote for him again when they see your blood son representing another country in the game of football.

Very unpatriotic leader.

This is foolish thinking Or should I say, extreme Poverty mentality.

What has his son hustling for himself got to do with the re-election of his father?

Do you think upside down?


I am glad Weah lost though

A

Nice

Ineffective George Weah is taking after Nigeria's Mr Jonathan

That's noble of him

IVORY2009:
What was your English score in secondary school, if I may start from there?

I didn't pass.
However
I passed Yoruba language in flying colours

As should be not like here where someone will be speaking jibberish and shouting Emi lo kan.

Emi lokan to come and loot the nation dry

immortalcrown:
When you don't have born-to-rule mentality like Emilakan and Bubu.

Honestly, Nigeria leaders mostly APC will rather die there and use court to overturn the result

Lol people that always shout Youth na Youth dem give chance so he no work for dem dey went back to 78yrs old man....



Leadership isn't an Olympic race....

Vote who ever suit your narrative....

Liberians have gone back to Nigerias 2015.

Difrent:
I didn't pass.
However
I passed Yoruba language in flying colours

Good! That says it all.....

Dominantly:
Honestly, Nigeria leaders mostly APC will rather die there and use court to overturn the result

The Mantra; “Grab it, Snatch it and Run with it” & “Dogs and Baboon will soak in their own Blood”

Very honourable unlike some countries where incumbent can't lose

Make dem no erubebe am

After all his mouth...... George failed to deliver ......😁


What's African's obsession with retired great grand ancestors.......🤔

Nice one from Mr. Weah

Unlike the Old DRUGGIE we have in Nigeria that connived with his Electoral Body Chairman
To Manipulate Figures and announce Results @2am like Witchcraft Coven members!

I knew it was going to happen. This may be difficult in Nigeria but to them it's a walk over. Congratulations to the Liberians