Former FIFA World Player of the Year (1995) George Weah has lost his to be re-elected as president of Liberia.
According to the BBC, Weah called his challenger in the presidential race, Joseph Boakai, to congratulate him on his victory.
In an address to the nation Weah, who also won the Ballon d’Or award (1995) said “the Liberian people have spoken and we have heard their voice”.
Boakai holds an unassailable lead of 28,000 votes with nearly all ballots counted.
Weah has been in power since 2018 and will step down in January.
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The former AC Milan and PSG star became president on a wave of enthusiasm, especially from younger voters, having won that election – also against Boakai – by a large margin.
But a perception that he had failed to tackle corruption, rising prices and continued economic difficulties tarnished his image.
Weah was magnanimous in defeat, beginning his five-minute address by saying he had “the utmost respect for the democratic process that has defined our nation”, adding that he had spoken to Mr Boakai who he called the “president-elect”.
Earlier the electoral commission announced that 78-year-old Boakai had 50.89% of the votes, while Weah had 49.11%.
The president referred to the closeness of the race saying it “reveals a deep division within our country” and called on Liberians to “work together to find common ground… unity is paramount for mama Liberia”.
1 Comment
Way to go, took a leaf from Goodluck Jonathan. Their stories are similar, at the mid point of this year, I met a youth leader from Liberia at a conference and he told me that the young people who brought Weah in were disappointed and would make a different choice in the elections. His words have been confirmed. Wish Naija could have more credible elections and leaders who would be magnanimous in defeat!