I'd Turn down Re-election Petitions

Secret [deep] things belong to God and woman.

Yes. That is true. In fact, that is why integrity and credibility belong mostly to God and woman. God promised that He would send Jesus to save mankind. Even thousands of years later, when all had given up on the promise, God sent Jesus. And Jesus fell not as an adult from space. He came in the flesh through woman, a woman who kept the secret of a queer birth. God continues to keep his promises--his words. And for woman, as particularly epitomized by the role of Mary in the Savior's birth, secret things also belong to her.

Mary, indeed, is esteemed and held sacrosanct today not merely because she is a woman, but that she kept her word; she kept her word that she would keep her holy and mysterious ties with God deep and secret. The Bible, God's Word, and probably Koran and other religious manuscripts do have consistent epic tales of women, who are today adored for their heroic strives. Secret and deep things belonged to them, not because they were women, but because they kept their words. Esther kept her word. Ruth kept her word. Sarah kept her word. And the list goes on.

And because these legendary female characters kept their words to God and man, they made themselves trusted reservoirs of deep, secret things, and consequently subjects of adoration and admiration from generation to generation. Trust in women as custodian of deep or secret things did not and does not come from the clear blue sky. It was earned yesterday. It is earned today. And it is earnable by those who demonstrate good character, integrity and responsibility that come with do-what-you-say, and say-what-you-do.

Indeed, Ellen's philosophic response to the reelection petition from a yet unknown fraction of Lofa citizens has provoked gaylah (gossip). The gaylah has surged not because Ellen is not constitutionally qualified to rerun, but basically because she did promise during the campaign of 2005 that, if she had won, she would not seek reelection. That she's beclouding a clear promise with philosophy is all that has triggered confusion, public debate and controversy. Ellen's Lofa response over reelection question is not the first. In an interview with a Liberian online news organ, she again evaded the issue with what amounted to “when we reach the river, we will decide how to cross.”

Though the possibility of keeping her “only-one-term” promise could be wrapped in these responses, the evasive nature of responses is a far cry from that possibility. Firstly, there is no crime in being definitive about the matter, about stating in unequivocal terms that she would keep her promise. Secondly, Ellen's disposition does not only nearly negate a solemn promise, it sounds like those of her predecessors and other African counterparts during similar situations. The history of succession politics in Liberia and Africa is clear on the fact that such vague responses to political petitions are, in substance and actuality, affirmative statements of consent to contest.

Thirdly, Ellen is responding to petition occasions with attractive purses for the petitioners. L$100,000 for the Lofans and groundbreaking for community projects; all seem to be appreciation fees, luring other counties to come out with their petitions. While it is not unlawful and unconstitutional for Ellen to break her promise and rerun for the presidency, if I were her, I would rather keep my word and refrain from contesting in 2011. Sure; the temptation and enticements out there are great and hypnotizing to be ignored.

The petitions would come because, firstly, petitions for incumbent reelection are traits that are deeply ingrained in the Liberian political psyche. Secondly, because political flunkies and conservative idealists would want Ellen to hang like Tubman did or as Robert Mugabe is doing. They are leaches that find survival in the flesh of incumbent politics. Sticking to power particularly after landmark achievement by the incumbent has proven terminal, if not fatal.

Our political history is still fresh and instructive on how Liberian political celebrities short-circuited their chances for lasting adoration only because they chose to hang on, to unnecessarily clinch of power and authority, instead of honorably retiring--retiring even at point of national relevance.

If I were Ellen, I would make a fundamental break with unfortunate political scenario of power until dishonor. I would quite, and wouldn't make a secret of it, so that in my “premature” departure, Liberians would see the end of the country's catastrophic political succession culture.

This would be Ellen's indelible contribution to Liberian womanhood; meriting the epithet, “Secret [deep] things belong to woman and God.”