MONROVIA, Montserrado – With nearly all polling places reporting, Unity Party’s standard-bearer Joseph Boakai has congratulated the Coalition for Democratic Change candidate George Weah on his presumptive win of the December 26 runoff presidential election.

According to official provisional results announced Thursday by the National Elections Commission, Weah accumulated 61.5 percent of the total valid votes with 98.1 percent of polling places reporting, while Vice President Boakai obtained 38.5 percent of the valid votes.

All counties except Lofa, Margibi, Nimba, and Sinoe had reported 100 percent with Weah leading in 14 counties, except Lofa, where Boakai hails from. The total turnout was 1,198,984 or 56.0 percent of all eligible registered voters, while total invalid votes stand at 27,873 or 2.3 percent.

In a concession speech delivered on Friday, Boakai said as a man of peace and humility, and as a patriotic citizen with deep faith in God, he accepts the results of the elections as announced by NEC.

“I congratulate the winner, Ambassador George Manneh Weah, and pray that God will guide and guard him as he embarks upon the onerous responsibility of steering the affairs of our nation,” he said.

He said being conscious of the great need for the country to be reconciled and nudged on the track of transformation, he also offers a hand of goodwill, friendship, and gratitude for a historic contest.

Boakai thanked all citizens who participated in the process and said he would make himself available to help in whatever positive way to move the country forward.

“I thank all of you for believing in me, putting faith in yourselves and loving our country,” the vice president said. “You have every reason to raise your heads high and celebrate the maturing of the democracy we have so greatly fought for this country.”

Boakai further advocated for the country moving on towards unity, saying, “I said throughout this campaign, it has never been about me. It has always been and should always be about Liberia. This is about our country’s cause defending. We must work to unite our people because Liberia is greater than any one of us.”

Boakai stressed the need to resist temptations of harboring malice towards others, saying, “We should only wish everyone God’s blessings.”

He meanwhile admonished his supporters to go forth, showing love to others, forgiving those who wronged them, offering kind words to their neighbors, praying to God for His divine mercy upon Liberia and working every day to see it prosperous.

“And in everything that we do and say, let us always think Liberia, love Liberia, and build Liberia,” he added.

He agreed with the NEC and local and international observers that voting was done in a peaceful manner, with voters freely expressing their desire.

“At this historic crossroad, let us remain cognizant of the extent to which elections are conflict-prone and have the potential to destroy nations, disintegrate families, and undermine the sanctity of a nation. We are also quite aware of our nation’s current economic challenges,” he stressed.

According to him, Liberia’s history is characterized by disturbing episodes of fraudulent electoral processes and the attendant consequences, referencing 1927 and 1985 elections, as notable among them.

“I refuse to subject our nation to such an experience. I reject any temptation of imposing pain, hardship, agony, and uncertainty upon our people. My name will not be used as an excuse for one drop of human blood to be spilled in this country,” he said.

“My worth and ambition to serve will never push me to stoop low to violence. The truth of the matter is that what I was seeking was not power or title, but instead an opportunity to serve. My love for country is more profound and intrinsic than my desire for the presidency.”

According to him, he had earlier placed a call to Weah, congratulating him on his prospective victory in the runoff election, and availed himself to help him in any way he may be found useful to advance the good of the country.

“I have seen the good of our country and learned that there are many good people and that ultimately good triumphs. Although we worked so assiduously for a different outcome than what the results show, my faith, values, and principles dictate that l respect the will of our people as announced by the National Elections Commission,” he noted.

He called on Liberians to put the election and the acrimony occasioned by it behind them and close ranks to push the country to its rightful place within the comity of nations.

Boakai further called on the citizens to demonstrate that Liberia can be a better country and that all must subordinate their personal ambition and interests to the good of all and love for their country.

“After years of serving as your vice president, I appreciate the privilege of serving with utmost dedication and integrity. I so dearly cherish my service to this country and for that let me express my gratitude to the people of Liberia for according me that noble opportunity to serve my country,” he said.

“We know that our supporters in and out of Liberia are disappointed by the result of the elections. Let us, however, be consoled by the fact that we did collectively fight a good fight. We made personal sacrifices and demonstrated full commitment to the values we espoused.”

He said both Speaker Emmanuel Nuquay and himself are grateful to those who gave their all to their campaign.

“We make particular mention to the chairman and members of the Unity Party, the National Campaign Team, Honorable Benoni Wilfred Urey, and all heads and members of collaborating political parties, our auxiliaries, and our youth, women, elders, and thousands of supporters and well-wishers. It was a campaign for Liberia and you fought it so very hard,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to international partners who stood by Liberia during the “long and arduous” electoral process.

Boakai’s speech came when the final results had not yet been announced, but the results pointed to Weah being elected as president. While the 2017 election will give way to a historic democratic transition not seen in several decades, it is also the first time in many years in the country for a loser in a presidential election to consciously accept results and concede defeat to the winner.

Featured photo courtesy of Lloyd Massah