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Dear Madam President, As was mentioned in our two previous letters, we, a group of concerned citizens of the Republic of Liberia, write to acknowledge your political Maradonaness – that is, your political astuteness – in the Liberian political milieu and to ask you about the secret of that smartness.
From our observation, Madam President, no Liberian politician, especially in the last thirty years, can claim of being politically smarter than you. You have dumbfounded most of us, including the various politicians and journalists who consider themselves “old hands” in the business of politics. You have either subdued them, or you have put them in your Basket of the Politically Captured (BAPOCA).
You have not only done it to politicians and journalists, you have also done it to human rights lawyers and activists, student activists and so forth. You know how to play the game of politics, Madam President. Your maradonaness is undeniable and unchallengeable. What’s the secret, Madam President?
There are reports that before the run-off, you met and talked with various opposition political parties and leaders, and gave them the impression that they would be an important part of your new government. It is reported that some of them came from the meeting ready to regret ever announcing their own candidacies. Others, it is said, sidelined their parties and unilaterally indorsed you because they felt that their parties were either unwilling to support you or were delaying the process to indorse you. In fact, there were serious problems between some party leaders and their partisans. What is the secret behind all this, Madam Present?
Now, many people are complaining that you have forgotten the discussions you had with opposition leaders. Journalists are complaining about or highlighting your thus-far sidelining of the opposition. They mention it on the pages of their newspapers. They write it in their editorials. The National Union for Democratic Progress (NUDP) is expressing disappointment about it. The Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) is doing the same thing. Before the run-off and before your inauguration, they didn’t realize that they would not be the major players in your government. What is the secret, master planner?
As was mentioned in one of our letters, there are reports, also, that many media practitioners and institutions promoted and supported you day and night, believing that you and your political party would continue to interact with them just as you and your political party were doing during the campaign aimed at getting you elected for a second term. It is reported that most of those institutions and individuals are having problems getting to you or receiving some benefits or assistance for their commitment to the cause to have you elected for the second term. How did you make them get so glued to you? What’s the secret?
Prices are high, Madam President. But it seems everyone has settled down with it. Not many voices are complaining openly. It has become something normal – to live in a Liberia where prices of basic commodities are virtually unaffordable to a great deal of people. Under other presidents, the citizens complained a lot. It is not happening under you. What’s the secret, Ma Ellen? There is a need for other politicians or would-be leaders or politicians to talk with you.
Also, Ma Ellen, the news of the police behaving unprofessionally abound. In fact, some of them are involved in criminal activities, to the extent that, as you are aware, some of them have been disrobed. Officers are still extorting people on a daily basis. Yet you continue to tell us that you have a professional police force, and a lot of people believe it. When other leaders used to say the same thing, our people used to say, “We fear you yah!” How do you do it? In short, what is the secret that makes you succeed in all this?
To conclude, Madam President, you are strong. You are great. You put people in your Basket of the Politically Captured (BAPOCA) easily. We salute you for being that Liberian political Maradona that no other Liberian politician can match. We do recognize your powerfulness in this area. Our only concern is for you to share your secret with us. Will you, mighty player of the game of politics?
Well, Madam President, we wish to inform you that, for now, this is our last letter on your political smartness and the secret behind it. We will continue the Citizen’s Letter, but we will go to a different topic next time.
Yours very sincerely, The Citizens |
