Jonathan To Lead US – Based Observers To Liberia Poll

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is set to lead an observer mission in Liberia’s presidential run-off vote scheduled for Tuesday.

Jonathan will lead a United States’ National Democratic Institute (NDI) delegation to monitor the elections that aim to get a successor to the outgoing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Vice President Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party will contest the run-off vote against football great George Weah running under the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).

“I am honoured to co-lead NDI’s international delegation to support transparent and peaceful elections in Liberia, especially given the close relationship Nigeria has always had with this country,” Jonathan said.

The vote was initially scheduled for November 7, but an election petition in the Supreme Court on November 6 meant the vote had to be postponed.

Boakai has served as vice-president since 2006, and will be hoping to counter Weah’s popularity with his political experience having also served as minister of agriculture in the 1980s.

Weah, famous for his football achievements – being the only African to win the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards – is giving the presidency a third shot, having tried and lost in 2005 and 2011. In 2014 he won a seat in the Senate.