NPP Searches Lost Image
Forum
Monrovia, Liberia
Distributed by
The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
October 5, 2004
The National Patriotic Party (NPP) which once enjoyed a marked droves of the Liberian people in terms of following thereby wining a clear democratic election in 1997, with its standard-bearer Charles Taylor ascending to the presidency, now stands at the crossroad economically fatigued with dim leadership as its coefficient.
At a called meeting of progressives and stalwarts over the weekend at the party’s headquarters in Sinkor, Monrovia, the absence of Taylor now exiled in Calabar, Nigeria, could be seen hovering over the party while the party’s once enthusiasm and dynamism could be seen at a very lowest ebb.
The Secretary General of the party John Whitfield described the NPP as being divided into three parts – thereby undermining the unity of the partisans. Mr. Whitfield said there was a minute but strong partisans whom he described as “strategically placed, who sit on the fence caring less about the party’s future at this crucial time. Other group he said feels with Taylor shipped out of the country, NPP has died.”
He however praised the grassroots group whom he said represents the foundation of the party and was doing its best in the face of difficult days to protect, prevent and direct the existence of the NPP.
Several partisans who spoke to FORUM blamed the further degeneration of the party to the lack of vision and the capacity of the Holder administration to reset in motion the lost direction of the party. Many described Holder as “too weak” and the wrong man at the right time while many others feel the incapacitation of the current leadership of Holder owes largely to lack of finances and strong budgetary backing.
Currently there are several presidential hopefuls whose ambitions have begun to waggle here and there. However, the dimness hovering over the party including the depreciating spirit indicates the financial incapacity of the party something which most partisans said could be addressed by those calling themselves presidential aspirants.
For his part, a progressive of the NPP who was also a brain behind the weekend meeting, Bedell Fahn, frowned on partisans whom he surmised see no future in the party, adding, “the NPP is for the natives in the villages and congos in the townships.” He described the party as a strong grassroots political institution in Liberia.
Mr. Fahn lamented that come 2005 general elections, the NPP would emerge victorious considering its structure in every corner of the country.
Commenting on the resignation of some partisans, Mr. Fahn termed the development as unfortunate, but said that such will not deter the party’s forward movement.
