By Timothy T. Carr
Gbarnga, Bong County, December 31, 2022: Ahead of the 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections in Liberia, former Bong County Senator Franklin Obel Siakor has vowed to contest for the Presidency.
Appearing as guest on a local radio station morning breakfast show , Mr. Franklin Obel Siakor revealed that his decision to contest for the Presidency is as a result of the extreme hardship Liberians are enduring under the Weah-led government.
Siakor said President Weah has completely failed Liberians and has not lived up to his campaign promises made to Liberians since he ascended at the level of the presidency.
The former legislator recounted that it is prudent enough to offer President Weah one term reign, adding, any attempt to re-elect President Weah in 2023 will be detrimental to Liberians, most especially the downtrodden.
The former Bong County Senator who did not mince his words averred that he is discontented with the reign of the Weah-Taylor government, noting that Liberians from across the country are more disappointed and have resolved to boot President Weah out of state power through the ballot box.
‘’Over the years Liberia has not had a progressive President with the exception of ex-President William David Coleman, in my view. I remain the only one that could become a progressive president,’’ he said.
The former lawmaker has since been tightlipped regarding his involvement in the body politics of the country after he withdrew from contesting as Senator in Bong County at the climax of his first term as Senator in 2014.
Meanwhile, the proclamation by Mr. Siakor to contest the presidency in 2023 has been hailed by citizens, especially his supporters and admirers, who disclosed to PUNCH in a jubilant mood that Mr. Siakor’s decision is welcoming and timely.
Notwithstanding, the former Bong County Senator descended on the 54th Caucus members of Bong County for their silence on national issues, saying the current Bong County Legislative Caucus dismally performed in the Liberian parliament.
He asserted that members of the Bong Caucus are only concerned about of their self-aggrandizement.
Siakor further blasted at the entire membership of the Liberian 54th Legislature for constantly yielding to President Weah for the sake of receiving kickbacks and brown envelops to increase their wealth.
According to Siakor, the 53rd legislators were far better than the current Legislators, adding, members of the 53rd Legislators exerted efforts in capacity building and pushing for Legislative reforms aimed at promoting good governance, unlike the current Legislators in the country.
He voiced out that while in the Senate, he worked with his colleagues to pass the Land Reform Act, the Anti-Corruption bill, and the Community Rights Law; and that they also endeavor to established Anti-Corruption and Land Reform Commissions to deal with some national issues back then.
Franklin Obed Siakor, 55, served as Junior Senator for Bong County, from 2005 to 2011. He was a member of the Senate’s Committee on Planning and Economic Affairs. He was born in Gbarnga, Bong County, and is a former pupil and teacher at St Martin’s High School, Gbarnga.
Siakor holds an MA in Development Studies, a certificate in Conflict Transformation, a Teacher’s certificate and is a former student of the Cuttington University College extension program.
