George Weah of Liberia loses presidential election, concedes defeat
The President of Liberia George Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has lost bid for a second term in office having been defeated by Joseph Boakai, candidate of the Unity Party (UP) in a run off, which was the second round of voting in presidential election held on Tuesday.
Penpushing reports that as of 4 pm Friday, Boakai, a former Vice President led George Weah with 28, 434 votes, while the total ballot outstanding for counting is 25,694, an indication that Weah cannot catch up with Boakai even if he gets all the pending votes.
The first round of voting on October 10, 2023, it is recalled did not yield a clear winner among the 20 presidential candidates participating, leading to the runoff between Messrs Weah and Boakai, the top two contenders.
Penpushing further reports that the former footballer as at the time of filing this report has accepted defeat and equally confirmed that he has spoken with the President-Elect to congratulate him on his victory
“A few moments ago, I spoke with president-elect Joseph Boakai to congratulate him on his victory. I urge you (his supporters) to follow my example and accept the results of the elections’, Weah said in national radio.
‘Tonight, the CDC has lost the election, but Liberia has won. This is a time for graciousness in defeat, a time to place our country above party, and patriotism above personal interest . . . Let us heal the divisions caused by the campaign and come together as one nation and one united people’, he stated
Penpushing also reports that the United States Government in a statement has commended George Weah for accepting the outcome of the tightly contested election, emphasizing on his peaceful acceptance of the results
‘We congratulate President-elect Boakai on his victory and President Weah for his peaceful acceptance of the results. The United States congratulates the people of Liberia on holding a peaceful presidential runoff election’, the statement said.
‘We note the broad participation of Liberians across the country and applaud the commitment and dedication of Liberian citizens in exercising their right to vote and in engaging in the electoral process peacefully’.
‘Liberians deserve and expect free and fair, peaceful elections. We call on all citizens to follow President Weah’s example and accept the results. We congratulate Liberia’s institutions on a successful electoral process, especially the dedicated work of the National Elections Commission and the thousands of Liberians who worked the polls.”
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