3 Mins Read
ADNews-Monrovia, Liberia: Former stalwart of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Varney Sackey, has described the party as a “political cult” where members who dare to speak against its doctrines face harsh backlash.
Sackey’s comments come in the wake of recent criticisms leveled by Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala, CDC’s campaign spokesperson during the 2023 elections, against the party’s Standard Bearer, George Weah, and his public commendations of the incumbent Unity Party administration.
In a Facebook post, Sackey wrote: “When I see CDCians attacking and using all kinds of derogatory street language against my dear brother, Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala, it doesn’t surprise me. I’ve said on countless occasions that as a CDCian, you can never speak the truth if it does not benefit the CDC, and still maintain a good relationship with your fellow partisans.”
Reflecting on his own experiences, Sackey revealed he endured similar treatment during his 15 years with the party.
“As a former CDCian, I know exactly what I went through. As soon as I realized the CDC had become a cult disguised as a political party, I decided to leave,” he said. “Any CDCian who dares to speak the truth that doesn’t serve the party’s interests should be prepared for attacks and insults.”
Sackey described it as “sad” that members are penalized for expressing independent opinions, warning that partisanship should not be equated with “another form of slavery.”
“To be loved in the CDC, you must think and act like former President George Weah at all times,” he stated.
Addressing Gbala directly, Sackey urged him to leave the party and embrace political freedom.
“My dear brother Kanio, if you want to operate in a free political space where your thoughts and actions are not dictated by cult-like doctrines, your best option is to walk away from the CDC. No matter what you do, the fact that you’ve chosen honesty means you no longer have a place there. They will never accept you with open hearts and hands again.”
Sackey recounted his own ordeal after years of loyalty to George Weah’s leadership, even at the expense of opposing his own relative, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
“Imagine, after everything I did, standing against my biological family member, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and supporting George Weah, once I started speaking truths that didn’t favor the CDC, they insulted me. They claimed I wasn’t a ‘born CDCian’ and even accused me of being a Unity Party spy within the CDC,” he lamented.
As a final warning, Sackey cautioned Gbala and others not to be swayed by the CDC’s superficial gestures of reconciliation during election seasons.
“During elections, CDCians often pretend to accept those they previously rejected for speaking uncomfortable truths. Don’t let their election-season reconciliation fool you,” Sackey concluded.
Comments are closed.