Chairpersons & Executives of Member Parties of the NDC;

Executives of Other Political Parties gracing this occasion;

Members of the Fourth Estate;

Distinguished Ladies & Gentlemen

More than a year ago, I pronounced to my constituency and the Liberian people in general that I would not be seeking re-election to the post of Representative in erstwhile District No. 4, nor would I be seeking any elective office in the 2011 presidential and legislative elections.

Today, by the circumstance of time and the imperative of patriotic call of duty and service to our beloved motherland, I am constrained to reconsider my pronouncement made about fourteen (14) months ago.

It would interest you to know that for the past 3 to 4 weeks, I had been designated by Prof. Mayson, as part of a search committee, to recruit and present to him a shortlist of persons, based on a set criteria from which he would select his running mate as vice presidential candidate. We engaged an array of distinguished Liberian personalities – including 5 women and 4 men who met our suitability criteria – but no agreement was reached with any of them, either due to unavailability or unpreparedness at this time to undertake this onerous challenge.

Under the circumstances, my friend and comrade resorted to the George W. Bush/Dick Cheney scenario of the year 2000 in the United States – that is, since you cannot find someone suitable and ready, why don’t you accept my offer to serve as my running mate.

In response, I told the comrade brother that I have always been reluctant to serve as vice president due to the traditional perception in our Liberian/African society about what a vice president should be, what he/she can and cannot do. That I will not be a vice president in the conventional way it has been in Liberia; that I expect to be a partner in leadership of our country; that I will be an activist vice president being able to state my unfettered views on emerging issues to him in confidence and/or before the cabinet without fear of reprisals or suspicions; that I will not be a vice president confined to presiding over the Liberian Senate, but will be actively involved in the day-today running of the state of affairs of the administration; that I will be a loyal partner but not a pushover only needed in time of crisis; that our culture of criticism and self criticism that has characterized our work in the progressive movement will continue to guide our handling of the affairs of the state as we provide leadership in the democratic governance of our wretched country, deserving so much with such rich endowment, yet receiving little or nothing from its sons and daughters in 164 years of existence.

He agreed with me in principle, and I know in practice, for I know this man, Dew Tuan Wleh Mayson with whom I have worked for the past 36 years in my life. And I do know with no wavering in my conviction, like many of the fine pedigree of progressives, that when he gives his word, you can go to sleep on it, unflinchingly depend on it, wholly rely on it, put your neck on the chopping board for it, that in deed what has been agreed to as a policy will be scrupulously adhered to.

And so Comrade Prof. Mayson, Standard Bearer of the National Democratic Coalition of the Republic of Liberia, it is my great pleasure and esteemed honor to serve our country as Vice Standard Bearer on the presidential ticket of the National Democratic Coalition to contest these critical elections of October 2011.

May the Lord, Almighty bless the works of our hands and save the state for posterity in prosperity. Thank you all, comrades and partisans.

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