Ex-Liberian VP picked as presidential challenger

Liberia’s opposition Unity Party has picked former Vice-President Joseph Boakai as its candidate in the presidential elections scheduled for next year.

Mr Boakai, 77, was elected unopposed during the party’s convention over the weekend.

He was deputy to former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf from 2006 to 2017.

Mr Boakai will be taking a second stab at the presidency after losing to President George Weah in the 2017 general election.

The president is expected to seek re-election for a second term.

But Mr Boakai told the BBC that he was confident of defeating the former footballer – saying “I have the track record, I have the integrity, I have the experience. I have been tested, I have worked over the years with huge credibility”.

He added: “Liberians are looking for someone that can redeem this country, and they can think of nobody else but me. I am prepared to do so, I know I am capable of helping to restore the dignity of this country.”

source: bbc