My Assessment Of The 2010 UNICCO Elections

I am not a political guru. I do try, however, to participate in the gruelling exercise that consumes so many individuals. The 2010 Nimba County Organization (UNICCO)elections in the Diaspora had me putting on paper a political-novice kind of analysis. It was fun. The reading that follows starts from the end to the beginning of my analysis

Good afternoon, Nimbaians:

I have been reading the platforms of the last two candidates of my choice. Both platforms are amazing. Either of these platforms can do wonders for UNICCO and its members if we can muster the means to implement the many goals therein.

Tony Fele and Edwin Kruah have given this campaign their all. Their last battle cries to the members of UNICCO who will be voting two days from today have caught my attention. Tony is reminding us of his hard work to broker the peace in UNICCO that has enabled this process, and Edwin is telling us what we will get if he is elected on Sunday, May 30, 2010.

I like the ethnic make-up of Fele's Team and admire the Kruah Team for taking the bold step to put forward an amazing lady as Vice Presidential candidate. The Rainbow Bridge is a project I can contribute to anytime and REPAIR, I strongly believe, will indeed bring peace and reconciliation to our people. These proposals and the passionate pleads of both presidential candidates have taken sleep away from my eyes. Who will best represent UNICCO and Nimbaians in these United States of America? Who seems more believable, accountable, more transparent and can stand the heat of the office? Which of these candidates seems to have grasped the communication know-how of this age? Who will make UNICCO shine and who is the best to deliver the goods for our people?

These and many other questions have kept my mind busy. I cannot keep tossing and turning, watching and waiting. The interest of the community is paramount to me. The face of UNICCO is important to me and the vast majority of the voters. Our status in society must remain formidable. That is why I must make a decision and move on, hoping for the best for the candidate of my choice.

To those I did not choose, don't worry about; for when the final vote is counted, when the winner is announced, we will all be one people again, giving our full support to the new President of UNICCO.

It is in this vein that I wholeheartedly endorse the Kruah-Tozay Team to take our great organization into a future of unity, hope and prosperity.

Thank you.

Cooper Kweme
5/28/10

From: Kweme6@aol.com
To: unicco06@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, May 24, 2010 9:03 pm
Subject: Joggling and Shuffling for UNICCO

Good Evening:

The euphoria of a child graduating from college suppresses for a while, all other activities in a parent's life. That is why I have been absent from this forum. The elation is dying down and life is slowly returning to normal.

During the period of happiness I used to sneak into the forum for updates about the big election to be held in New Jersey, six days from today. Candidates for Vice President, Board Chairmanship, General Secretary, Treasurer, etc., etc., have all been certified to contest for these positions in a new UNICCO. I wish all of them good luck and God's speed.

In my effort to guesstimate or to give my personal opinion about the candidate in whom I see hope for this great institution, I have eliminated two candidates, leaving three outstanding individuals, any of whom will do a wonderful job for the people of Nimba County. But we cannot have three presidents at the same time. The choice is agonizing and the potential fallout is just overwhelming. A case in point: I was vilified and torn apart a few days ago when a particular candidate of another voter's choice was eliminated. But again, it is impossible to have five persons as president of UNICCO at the same time.

And so, the time has come for me to look at the three remaining candidates of my choice: Diah-Kpodo, Fele, and Kruah. Diah-Kpodo and Fele, I have known for the longest. My first encounter with Kruah was in North Carolina during the last Conference. First impression is always a plus. I was impressed with what I saw and heard: His deportment and seriousness duing our deliberation at the conference. His passion for transparency and accountability caught my attention.

What impresses me about Fele is his passionate and unwavering desire to see four Welcome Centers built in Nimba County. That pet project blows my mind and I know if Fele wins this election, the first modern-day toll booths in Liberia will be constructed in Nimba County. That is a project I can support with everything I have. Funds generated from such a project with all modalities in place, will do wonders for the county and people.

Diah-Kpodo is outspoken and is well versed in the game of UNICCO politics. He never misses a conference call. He is a very dedicated UNICCO personality and will represent the organization pretty well in the political arena. Mr Diah-Kpodo has the Eastern Block of voters on his side. The Philadelphia voters are awesome, but will they want to further split their allegiance between two people who have been in the struggle for recognition and power, or will they give their support to a new face who will salvage UNICCO from the abyss of controversy into a future of accountability and serious, genuine, progressive activities?

Knowing all of the above, I would certainly vote Mr Philip Diah-Kpodo Chairman of the Board of UNICCO. But since this is not the case and since Philadelphia has not been too kind to UNICCO, I will at this time and with heavy heart, scratch Mr Diah-Kpodo off my list of candidates for UNICCO presidency.

The interest of Nimbaians and the county, transparency and accountability, have not been the firebrand in the bellies of many of those who have taken the rein of power in UNICCO. These bad characteristics have caused many to withdraw and become completely complacent.

UNICCO needs a new voice and a paradigm shift. The ways of old have done us no good. Precious time and energy have been wasted. Nimbaians must mean what they say and vote one of my two remaining candidates into office.

Good luck to Tony Fele and Edwin Kruah when I return with my final choice.

PS: The quantity of butterflies I felt in my stomach before I began this journey have not decreased.The the rumbling continues, unabated.

From: kweme6@aol.com
To: unicco06@yahoogroups.com
Sent: 5/19/2010 11:25:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Joggling and Shuffling for UNICCO

Good Morning, Nimbaians:

I will not be paring candidates for the presidency for UNICCO any longer. What will happen henceforth is that I will begin to eliminate those I feel will bring more controversy into the process and into a new dispensation. Four years of financial burden and zero progress can not be easily forgotten or thrown under the rug. Nimbaians must send a strong message that anyone who hinders progress and who tries to bring the organization to its knees as we have seen over the years, should be given a grace period to reflect upon her or his escapades before coming back to run for any position in the organization. I personally would be ashamed to burst on the running-for-position scene if I had the confusion and litigation that have plagued the organization.

These and many other observations bring me to candidate Dorliae. The Dorliae-Collins controversy, to me, started the domino effect that made UNICCO a laughing stock. As I can remember, the last major UNICCO election in Georgia was marred by after-midnight intrigues and uncouth behavior which caused the entire process to end up in discontent and confusion. The Chairman of the Elections Commission was heard saying that the process was overrun by people carrying slings and bow and arrows and who felt that their candidate was more qualified, even if the paperwork for his candidacy came in after the deadline.

Before I end this section, I must admit how formidable Mr Dorliae is in this race, especially when it comes to galvanizing and mobilizing the voters. My cousin who has endorsed Mr Dorliae is a crowd gatherer. I feel strongly that the rights of Nimbaians to see serious change come to UNICCO were crushed when Mr Wongeh was impeached. Had Mr Dorliae and others prevailed by looking at the bigger picture...UNICCO... and advised my cousin, Mr Wongeh otherwise, the rumbling we are hearing today would not be the case. Taking our organization to court was a hideous move. Self-aggrandizement was the motive and it belittled and shamed all Nimbaians. Nimba people, especially in America, should not vote for anyone who brought or instigated or inflicted so much pain upon our organization.

I could write on this topic the whole day, but I will stop for now and reiterate that candidate Martin Dorliae is hereby eliminated from my list of candidates who want to be president of UNICCO, eleven days from today. I therefore congratulate the remaining contenders:

1. Edwin Kruah

2. Tony Fele

3. Philip Diah-Kpodo

From: kweme6@aol.com
To: unicco06@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, May 17, 2010 4:52 pm
Subject: Joggling and Shuffling

Good Afternoon:

The number of appearances of a candidate for UNICCO presidency on my list of paired candidates looks thus:

Name Appearances

1. Wanquoi..................................0

2. Dorliae....................................1

3. Kruah......................................4

4. Fele........................................3

5. Diah-Kpodo..........................2

The bee hive of politics in UNICCO is buzzing. The past weekend was no exception. Punches and counter punches with regard to the blame-game, characterized this period. I am sure there are more vitriols in the making. We ain't seen nothing yet!

People who care strongly that a change in attitude, a change in perspective, bringing genuine peace to a broken organization, and a strong emphasis on development, will do well to desist participating in the noise of the marketplace of UNICCO politics. The same thing we heard that brought this darling of an organization to its knees is the same thing we are reading about today.

And so, as I look at the candidates, one of whom will be the person to lead UNICCO into the sunshine of a new and dynamic period, Mr Wanquoi who appeared zero time on my choice-list is hereby eliminated.

Mr Wanquoi is a nice man who may mean well for UNICCO, but I think it's time for a new generation of Nimbaians who has that fire for serious progress ablaze in their bellies. Having had previous leadership experience in UNICCO, Mr Wanquoi will do well on a list of eminent personalities on the advisory board of a new administration.

The remaining four candidates must be congratulated for coming this far on my choice-list.

From: kweme6@aol.com
To: unicco06@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, May 14, 2010 3:14 pm
Subject: Fwd: [unicco06] Dorliae is Certified/Joggling and Shuffling


If I were instantly and without much ado choosing a President from the groups below, This would be the outcome:

My Choice

1. Wanquoi vs Dorliae.............................................Dorliae

2. Kruah vs Diah-Kpodo..........................................Kruah

3. Dorliae vs Fele.....................................................Fele

4. Fele and Wanquoi...............................................Fele

5. Diah-Kpodo and Dorliae....................................Diah-Kpodo

6. Fele vs Kruah.......................................................Kruah

7. Kruah vs Dorliae..................................................Kruah

8. Wanquoi vs Diah-Kpodo....................................Diah-Kpodo

9. Kruah vs Wanquoi...............................................Kruah

10. Diah-Kpodo vs Fele..........................................Fele

I am a listserv guy. The choices above are based on what I have read from the candidates and what has transpired over the years since I entered UNICCO. These choices are very fluid and can change at an instant. Vision, organization, and deliverables will guide my every thought as I agonize over whom will bring pride and progress to UNICCO.

I do not dwell on the tribal thing, but if the presidency of UNICCO must be shared by all tribal elements in Nimba County, then I will take that into consideration. What does the Constitution say about this? Can we insert something like this in there, or should the presidency of UNICCO be based on qualification and vision and deliverables?

From: kweme6@aol.com
To: unicco06@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, May 13, 2010 2:47 pm
Subject: Fwd: [unicco06] Dorliae is Certified/Joggling and Shuffling


May 12, 2010 will be remembered as the day when the name of five candidates for UNICCO presidency was officially and finally released. The day will also be remembered as the day when a perceived splinter-group (UNIDA), headed by Mr Clarence Gono, was suddenly disbanded, buried. Philadelphia, oh Philadelphia! Mr Dorliae is certified and this ominous group is immediately non-existent. How long will vlee-ma (threats) continue to influence our daily lives in UNICCO? Anyway, let me continue the shuffling and joggling of the presidential candidates. Today, I will be pairing the candidates:

1. Wanquoi and Dorliae

2. Kruah and Diah-Kpodo

3. Dorliae and Fele

4. Fele and Wanquoi

5. Diah-Kpodo and Dorliae

6. Fele and Kruah

7. Kruah and Dorliae

8. Wanquoi and Diah-Kpodo

9. Kruah and Wanquoi

10. Diah-Kpodo and Fele

As I go over various platforms, I will also be eliminating candidates based on my own assessment of the attitude, behavior, and vision of each person in a group of this deck of cards. Remember, this will be a personal, deep-from-the-soul assessment. Like most people, I want UNICCO to stand out as the organization that represents about 12% of the population of Liberia. Our strength must be reflected in our attitude, behavior, and our vision for the future of Nimba County.

PS: You are welcome to pick your choice and see where I fit in later.

From: kweme6@aol.com
To: unicco06@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, May 12, 2010 4:09 pm
Subject: Re: [unicco06] Dorliae is Certified


Now that the candidates for UNICCO presidency have been certified, let the game begin! Congratulations to Diah-Kpodo, Dorliae, Fele, Kruah, and Wanquoi.

The certification of Mr Dorliae diminishes or puts to rest the dream of Mr Gono to form a splinter group, I hope. It's now up to the people to decide who takes UNICCO to the promise land.

Congratulations also to Mr Grupee and Mr Grugbay Zoe.

Those who were really frustrated at UNICCO meetings were mostly the women. I remembered a lady cussing the entire body as she walked out of the building in 2006. She was fuming. I am therefore shocked and dismayed that not one woman candidate is among the roster of candidates just released.

Besides Mr Dorliae, I have interacted one time or the other with the rest of the presidential candidates. Let me joggle the presidential candidates as my interaction with them (from top down) goes:

Diah-Kpodo

Fele

Wanquoi

Kruah

Dorliae

Mr Dorliae seems to be a shrewd politician, as I observed at the New Jersey gathering.

I will be joggling again later. Right now, I am browsing through the Kruah platform.

Kweme
5/12/10

The analyses above began when the below communications were released:

-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Kona Fele
To: unicco06@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, May 12, 2010 2:54 pm
Subject: Re: [unicco06] Dorliae is Certified

Mr. Secretary,

Please extend my thanks and appreciation to the election team for looking beyond the peace line to come out with the decision concerning Mr. Dorliae. We all are children of Nimba and this is the only pratice ground belonging to us for our political practice. Let's allow all the kids of Nimba to come on this practice ground.

we want to take this time to congratulate Mr. Dorliae and Mr. Zoe on their acceptance to the practice ground.


Fele
NC
siayen dao
To: unicco06 ; "unicco_usa@yahoogroups.com"
Sent: Wed, May 12, 2010 12:23:28 PM
Subject: [unicco06] Dorliae is Certified

The Special Election Commission under the gallant leadership of Dr. Adam Kar has unanimously certified Mr. Martin Dorliae as a presidential candidate for the ensuing UNICCO 2010 elections. The decision was reached after reviewing the clearance submitted to the commission by the board.

In retrospect, Mr. Dorliae protest obtaining clearance from Mr. Diah-kpodo. The resolution of the protest induced unwanted delay in reaching a decision to certify Mr. Dorliae.
On behalf of the commission, I want to commend Mr. Dorliae for the demonstration of procedural steadfastness and tenacity during the push and pull over his certification. I wish Mr. Dorliae a successful campaign.

In another development, the commission has also certified Mr. D. Grugbay Zoe (Zobaniay) as a candidate for the position of a vice president. Mr. Grugbay Zoe (Zobaniay) is the ONLY vice presidential candidate that has been certified by the commission. I am exceedingly glad that Mr. Grugbay (Zobaniay) observed the guidelines of the commission and I wish him success in his campaign.
Congratulations to Mr. Dorliae and Mr. Grugbay (Zobaniay) for their certification.

Signed:
Siayen S. Dao
General Secretary