By Amos Harris
The Liberia Political Centrism Movement (LPCM), headed by former Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) campaign spokesperson Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala
has announced its full support for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai a declaration that has triggered intense public criticism and deepened concerns over Liberia’s persistent culture of political inconsistency.
According to LPCM, the endorsement is based on what the group described as President Boakai’s “impressive nationwide developmental achievements” delivered within one year and eleven months, but the public reaction tells a different story.
For many Liberians, Cllr. Gbala’s political U-turn is far from convincing. During the 2023 election campaign
Cllr. Gbala was among the most vocal critics of then-candidate Boakai, aggressively defending the CDC administration and launching repeated attacks against the Unity Party (UP) standard-bearer.
His sudden shift of loyalty has revived longstanding suspicion about political sincerity in Liberia.
“White teeth with black heart,” some citizens described the move, warning President Boakai to tread carefully around individuals who once fiercely opposed his leadership but are now seeking proximity to the presidency.
Several Unity Party partisans also expressed unease, arguing that the endorsement reflects a familiar pattern in Liberian politics in which defeated or sidelined actors attempt to reposition themselves for appointments, influence, or relevance.
Political observers have compared LPCM’s emergence to similar patterns seen under former CDC Chairman Mulbah Morlu, whose splinter groups regularly resurfaced following changes in political power.
Critics argue that many of these movements operate less on ideological conviction and more on attempts to regain footing after losing access to national resources.
UP partisans interviewed by journalists stressed that Cllr. Gbala has long been a staunch ally of former President George Manneh Weah, insisting that no political announcement can easily detach him from his CDC roots.
As Gbala and his movement push to rebrand themselves under the Boakai-led administration
The public debate now centers on whether such alliances strengthen national unity or erode trust within the government.
LPCM Sudden Endorsement Of President Boakai
By Amos Harris
The Liberia Political Centrism Movement (LPCM), headed by former Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) campaign spokesperson Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala
has announced its full support for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai a declaration that has triggered intense public criticism and deepened concerns over Liberia’s persistent culture of political inconsistency.
According to LPCM, the endorsement is based on what the group described as President Boakai’s “impressive nationwide developmental achievements” delivered within one year and eleven months, but the public reaction tells a different story.
For many Liberians, Cllr. Gbala’s political U-turn is far from convincing. During the 2023 election campaign
Cllr. Gbala was among the most vocal critics of then-candidate Boakai, aggressively defending the CDC administration and launching repeated attacks against the Unity Party (UP) standard-bearer.
His sudden shift of loyalty has revived longstanding suspicion about political sincerity in Liberia.
“White teeth with black heart,” some citizens described the move, warning President Boakai to tread carefully around individuals who once fiercely opposed his leadership but are now seeking proximity to the presidency.
Several Unity Party partisans also expressed unease, arguing that the endorsement reflects a familiar pattern in Liberian politics in which defeated or sidelined actors attempt to reposition themselves for appointments, influence, or relevance.
Political observers have compared LPCM’s emergence to similar patterns seen under former CDC Chairman Mulbah Morlu, whose splinter groups regularly resurfaced following changes in political power.
Critics argue that many of these movements operate less on ideological conviction and more on attempts to regain footing after losing access to national resources.
UP partisans interviewed by journalists stressed that Cllr. Gbala has long been a staunch ally of former President George Manneh Weah, insisting that no political announcement can easily detach him from his CDC roots.
As Gbala and his movement push to rebrand themselves under the Boakai-led administration
The public debate now centers on whether such alliances strengthen national unity or erode trust within the government.
![]()
