Despite many concerns from citizens across the country about the Alternative National Congress political leader for recently boycotting the CPP executive meeting held at the Bella Casa Hotel, Alexander Cummings has vowed to distance himself from any act of constitutional violations within the CPP framework documents.
Addressing a major news conference Monday at the ANC national headquarters in Congo Town, Cummings stressed that the membership of the ANC and his own participation in the CPP, impose an obligation to help to keep the Collaboration’s actions within the framework of its agreement.
He noted that, while many have commended his stance on upholding the rules as well as the commitments to democratic beliefs they share in the CPP, some have described it as fueling an internal crisis, adding that the internal crisis, if it is one, will provide the CPP much-needed space for reflection on how the CPP executives better position themselves to respond to the needs of the citizens for real change.
The ANC political leader further asserted that aim is not to commit a wrong, but where it is brought to his attention, with supporting evidence, that he participated in the commission of violations to the framework agreement by their decisions to extend the tenure of the Chair and constitute an investigative committee, it becomes his duty, as a democratic leader, to ensure the wrong is corrected, and the illegal action reversed.
Cummings believes that a wrong is a wrong regardless of who commits it, including himself, adding that recognizing and correcting a wrong is not weakness, but an attribute of leadership, and is honorable.
Also commenting on his refusal to attend the recent endorsement of Unity Party standard bearer ahead of the Collaborating Political Parties national convention, the ANC political leader said he refused to endorse what he termed as a wrong, noting that if the CPP cannot be the change the Liberian people seek, then they do not deserve to lead them.
Cummings also indicated that Liberia and its citizens are at stake and calls on members of the Collaborating Political Parties to do better, stressing that it is not enough that they criticize the government, but also that they continue to demonstrate that the CPP is a better alternative by holding themselves to a higher standard of democratic leadership and accountability.
“Of course, my preference is not to commit a wrong, but where it is brought to my attention, with supporting evidence, that I participated in the commission of violations to the Framework Agreement by our decisions to extend the tenure of the Chair and constitute an investigative Committee, it becomes my duty, as a democratic leader, to ensure the wrong is corrected, and the illegal action reversed.”
“Doubling down on wrongs is dishonorable and a product of undemocratic leadership. Where there is insistence on not correcting our collective mistake, but to continue to proceed wrongly, in spite of clear violations of our laws, I will not be part of it. We owe the Liberian people an obligation to do things differently; to be better than this government. If not, how are we the alternative?
How can we be trusted to obey the laws of the country when we cannot obey the CPP Framework Agreement? Breaking laws have real consequences just as real change is a deep commitment to be different.
Fellow Liberians: Change is hard. Real change is even harder. It will not make everyone happy at the same time because some are too used to the old ways of doing things. Real change is giving the country a new chance to become better. Real change is not just saying the right things but doing the right things the right way.
To change our country, we must choose, as hard as it sometimes will be, not to stand, even with friends, when we know they are wrong. I have made my choice, and it is to stand with anyone who is trying to stand right. I know I will have to stand alone sometimes or anger some friends and allies by doing so. This, too, is a price I am willing to pay for the change I believe we must make to better our country.” He averred.
