Ellen Urged to Repay Favor
April 9, 2014 By Keith Morris - Daily Observer
Unity Party stalwart James M. Rogers has called upon President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to support the senatorial quest of Mike G. Mueller in the ensuing Special Senatorial Election in repayment for supporting her two-term electoral bid.
At a news conference over the weekend in Monrovia, Rogers indicated that Mueller remains a strong supporter of Madam Sirleaf and has provided meaningful assistances on several occasions to the electoral struggle of the ruling Unity Party.
As such, "the President should be able to reciprocate the good Mr. Mueller has done for the party and the President," said Rogers, who contested for a Nimba County legislative seat on the party's ticket in the 2011 elections.
Mueller, a Liberian of part-Swiss descent, humanitarian and founder of Mike Mueller Charities, has declared his intention to contest Sinoe County's vacant senatorial seat come October.
According to Unity Party's by-laws, however, one must be a member of the party two years before standing for an elected position in the primary. Mueller has no party at the moment and wants the Unity Party to refrain from putting up a candidate in Sinoe County for the upcoming election.
"In the previous exercise of democracy in 2011's Presidential and Legislative elections, he offered and rendered his support to the election of Madam Sirleaf, with respect to her ability to secure international support for stability and reconstruction. His service to his nation and people is remarkable and deserving of the support of every Liberian. It is in this vein that I commend my fellow guests here today, for their bold choice to similarly support the candidacy of Mr. Mueller," Rogers said.
"With respect to the commitment of President Sirleaf and the ruling party to further the era to progress," he continued, "and in my capacity as former candidate for the Liberian legislature on the ticket of the Unity Party, I see it as a patriotic obligation to call upon President Sirleaf and her party to join in support of this great son of Sinoe County. I say to you, Madam President, even as he did support you in your bid, my humble advice is that for the same principles, your support is required in this instance."
Rogers maintained that Mueller has the academic, moral and financial credentials to lead Sinoe County's legislative seat, adding; "Our nation needs people of high moral value in order to serve with transparency."
