The question of who would be the running mate for the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), led by Alexander Cummings, was anticipated ahead of the party’s convention, where 15 senator and representative aspirants were nominated to contest. However, the Constitution of Cummings’ Alternative National Congress (ANC) prohibits the announcement of a running mate from a different county. This was highlighted by ex-ANC chairman Lafayette Gould, who called for adherence to the ANC Constitution, proposing that the pronouncement be made within 21 days. Delegates determined the pronouncement would be made within a grace period of 14 days.
Rumours ahead of the convention indicated that Cummings had chosen Charlyne Brumskine as his running mate. Brumskine is the daughter of the Liberty Party’s founder, which is another constituent party of the CPP. Cummings stated that if elected, he would tackle corruption, which has undermined Liberia’s development prospects. He claimed that unless political leadership changes, the country will remain underdeveloped. Cummings vowed that during his presidency, Liberians would work for their pay and not receive money or gifts, stating, “We all need to work together for the betterment of this country.”
Cummings pledged to bring real change to the socio-economic life of the masses by adhering to democratic norms and the merit system, rejecting the age-old practices of bribes for lawmakers. He advised Liberians to campaign with civility and warned citizens against political banditry, lawlessness and character assassination of opponents during this campaign period. Access and rights to jobs and opportunities during his tenure would be strictly based on merit and the law.
Larry Younquoi, an ANC executive and lawmaker of the eighth district, Nimba County, expressed his disappointment in President George Weah’s six-year leadership, stating that lawmakers had not been paid in the last four months. ANC’s Global Chairman, Alois Monger, implored partisans to mobilize support for Cummings so that he could be elected president. Attendees from 250 delegates from the 15 political sub-divisions of Liberia and from international locations attended the ANC 5th National Convention in Ganta.
