BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa – Former Unity Party stalwart Gbehzohngar M. Findley has been petitioned by supporters to join the Coalition for Democratic Change.

The petitioning program saw over 100 supporters gather at the Benson River resident of Findley on Wednesday August 16, 2017 in Buchanan.

Reading the petition on behalf of the Supporters of Findley, Benjamin Greaves quoted the Constitution: “All power is inherent in the people. All free governments are instituted by their authority and for their benefit and they have the right to alter and reform the same when their safety and happiness so require.”

As supporters of Findley, the group said it wanted to change the Unity Party-led government and replace it with a consolidated and grassroot-based opposition through the Coalition for Democratic Change.

“Therefore, we the supporters of Gbehzonhgar Milton Findley, represented by the youth, women, and elders of every electoral district in the City of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, confident of your sound leadership and love for the people, hereby petition you to support the Coalition for Democratic Change,” the petition further noted.

Supporters of Findley attentively listening as he responds to their petition. Photo: Sampson David

For his part, Findley thanked his supporters for standing by him throughout the process.

The former Senate pro tempore was presented the petition but told his supporters that he would officially start a dialogue with the Coalition for Democratic Change and return in a few weeks to finally answer them about their request.

“As I listen to the petition, we must move forward,” he said. “You have said to me that I have been sitting on the fence and you are right; I have been sitting on the fence. You have asked me to leave the fence and go in a political direction that you believe and I believe is the right direction we should go.”

Findley added that though all his supporters might not be on the same team with him, he pleaded with them to give him the opportunity to lead.

“To all our supporters, there are some of you that are dear to my heart even though you are candidates on other political parties,” he told his supporters. “You have stood by me many years and I will stand by you, but I ask you to understand also that while I first stand by you, there are greater responsibilities by the greater majority of our people.”

Findley also briefly touched on why he resigned from the governing Unity Party, saying he left because of “political differences.”

“When my people’s interest cannot be protected and when I speak to the leaders of different political parties that are willing to protect the interests of my supporters, then I must take that position in the interest of my supporters,” Findley added.

When Findley resigned from Unity Party, there was visible evidence that Liberty Party was negotiating to recruit him, but with this petition, it appears that the efforts by Liberty Party yielded no fruitful result.

Findley’s choice of the Coalition for Democratic Change was surprising given Liberty Party’s strong base in Grand Bassa and it may deepen the political friction between supporters of Findley and Charles Brumskine, the standard bearer of Liberty Party.

The political rivalry between the two started in 2011 when Brumskine sought Findley’s support in the presidential election while Findley was still senator. However, Findley supported President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

During the 2014 senatorial elections, Brumskine strongly campaigned against Findley, lead to Findley’s defeat. Although, there have been numerous attempts to bring Findley over to Liberty Party, that has not happened.

Findley’s link to the Coalition for Democratic Change will likely limit the votes Unity Party can obtain in Grand Bassa as many of his Grand Bassa supporters from Unity Party have already vowed to follow him to his next political home.

Featured photo by Sampson David