MONROVIA โ The previous Nationwide Spokesman of the Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC) within the 2023 presidential election, Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala, has launched the Liberia Political Centrism Motion (LPCM), a platform he says is concentrated on nationwide curiosity, unity, and solution-driven governance over entrenched social gathering loyalty.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
Talking in an unique WhatsApp interview with FrontPage Africa on Monday, Cllr. Gbala mentioned the centrism motion seeks to disrupt the longstanding โwinner-takes-allโ mentality in Liberian politics and exchange it with collaboration throughout social gathering strains.
Based on him, centrism in Liberia means โconstructing and supporting multi-partisan collaboration for nationwide improvement no matter which political social gathering leads the trouble.โ He mentioned the motion was born out of a need to maneuver away from slender partisan alignments and assist actions that profit the nation โ no matter which political group initiates them.
Gbala, a lawyer and seasoned political actor who has been engaged in Liberian politics since 2005, mentioned the initiative emerged out of frustration with what he described because the poisonous nature of Liberiaโs political discourse.ย
He defined that good concepts and impactful packages are sometimes rejected just because they originate from political opponents, whereas loyalty-at-any-cost is rewarded, even on the expense of the nationwide good.ย
โThe Political Centrism Motion was born out of a need to alter thatโto foster a political tradition based mostly on points, options, and nationwide curiosity moderately than slender political agendas,โ he mentioned.
The motion has not been with out its critics. Cllr. Gbala has come below hearth from some members of his former social gathering, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), who accuse him of political opportunism. Notably, CDC Deputy Secretary Normal for Data and Analysis, Mr. Randall Massaquoi Dobayou II, lately criticized Cllr. Gbala for what he referred to as โstomach-infrastructure politics,โ after Gbala praised coverage initiatives from the ruling Unity Get together.
Cllr. Gbala, nevertheless, dismissed the criticism, insisting that centrism is about recognizing and supporting what worksโregardless of its supply. โFor over 20 years, I actively supported and โpraisedโ the CDC, and nobody questioned my motives. Now, after I commend the Unity Get together for a commendable motion, it’s all of the sudden seen as opportunism. Thatโs the paradox we search to handle,โ he acknowledged.ย
โThe sincerity and independence of the Political Centrism Motion will likely be confirmed not by phrases, however by our constant and principled actions over time. We’re constructing a motion that speaks reality to energy, no matter who holds that energy.โ
Clarifying the character of the initiative, Cllr. Gbala mentioned the LPCM just isn’t a conventional political social gathering, however moderately a value-based political platform dedicated to evaluating nationwide insurance policies based mostly on their advantage and impression. โWhether or not itโs the Unity Get together, CDC, or civil society, we’ll commend what works and critique what doesnโt. Our focus is at all times on what advantages the nation, not what boosts political capital. Thatโs the distinction,โ he emphasised.
Amongst its core priorities, the motion is concentrated on youth empowerment, girls and incapacity inclusion, micro-financing for small companies, vocational and technical schooling, rule of legislation reforms, good governance, transparency, and civic engagement.
Cllr. Gbala echoed the latest Independence Day oration by Dr. Emmett Dunn, emphasizing the significance of rural infrastructure and community-driven improvement. โImprovement have to be skilled from the bottom up,โ Cllr. Gbala mentioned, including that empowering Liberiaโs rural inhabitants is crucial to tackling unemployment, drug abuse, and marginalization.
With tensions from the 2023 elections nonetheless lingering and polarization between the CDC and the Unity Get together widening, Cllr. Gbala believes the time is ripe for a centrist strategy that de-emphasizes political rivalry. โRhetoric stays excessive, and the hole between the CDC and the Unity Get together continues to widen. That is exactly the place the Centrism Motion provides worth โ we search to bridge the divide, promote dialogue, and rally these within the center who prioritize nationwide improvement over social gathering loyalty,โ he defined.
Past concepts and rhetoric, Cllr. Gbala mentioned the Political Centrism Motion intends to have real-world impression. The group is planning to implement community-based initiatives concentrating on at-risk youth, girls, and folks with disabilities. Based on him, the goal is to foster empowerment and financial alternative on the grassroots stage, not simply in elite political circles.
As a part of its structural growth, the Motion has begun forming its management staff and organising workplaces. Cllr. Gbala disclosed that at a latest Govt Steering Committee assembly, key appointments have been made, together with Cllr. Dede Nyeplu for Authorized Affairs, Madam Andrea Cooper for Finance and Fundraising, Dr. William Kollie for Coverage and Analysis, Madam Margaret Blankson for Info and Outreach, and Mr. Mahmoud Koroma for Governance and Technique. The group has additionally opened a satellite tv for pc workplace on Smythe Highway in Monrovia, with a nationwide headquarters deliberate for the close to future.
Cllr. Gbala used the chance to name on younger Liberians to actively take part in shaping the nationโs future. โNobody will hand you a seat on the deskโyou could earn it,โ he mentioned. โYounger folks should present curiosity, dedication, and the braveness to battle for the causes they imagine in.ย
