Former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen has strongly criticized the leadership of outgoing Liberian president and former footballer, George Weah, labelling it as “disgraceful.”
Boahen expressed his disappointment with Weah’s presidency, citing a lack of good leadership as a significant factor in his recent electoral defeat.
In an interview on Angel FM, Boahen asserted, “Oppong Weah is a big disgrace, he disappointed everybody serious about politics in West Africa.”
He criticised Weah for squandering his opportunity as president, accusing him of opting for leisure, such as travelling to Qatar to watch football, instead of focusing on governance.
Boahen drew a comparison with other political figures, stating, “Buhari who stayed outside his country for over a month was sick, George Weah was not sick.”
He further remarked that if a similar situation occurred with Nigerian politician Tinubu, it would be more understandable due to his health condition.
George Weah conceded defeat on Friday, November 17, 2023, to former Liberian Vice President Joseph Bokai after a closely contested presidential race.
Weah’s presidency, which began in 2018, has been marred by allegations of corruption and a perceived lack of development.
Boahen urged African politicians to learn from Weah’s defeat, emphasizing the need to govern responsibly and prioritize the interests of the people. He cited the recent political change in Equatorial Guinea, although inaccurately, as an example of the consequences of ruling without regard for the populace.
“Africans are now discerning. If you rule anyhow, why won’t they vote against you? Even this one, the election was rigged. He would have lost terribly,” Boahen stated, emphasizing the growing awareness among African voters.