Gbowee Challenges Defeated Politicians Seeking Political Comebacks

MONROVIA — Former Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee has questioned the growing push by politicians who have been voted out of office to return to public service, urging them to explore opportunities outside politics.

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By J.H. Webster Clayehwebsterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

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Gbowee, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, made the comments amid renewed political discussions about the 2029 Presidential and Legislative Elections and efforts by opposition politicians to regroup following their defeat in the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections.

Her remarks came just days after former President George Manneh Weah, who served as Liberia’s president from 2018 to 2024, held a two-day opposition parties roundtable meeting aimed at uniting the opposition ahead of the 2029 Elections and unseating the ruling Unity Party..

In a social media post on Tuesday, Gbowee offered what she described as a “free consultation” to politicians seeking to return to public office, encouraging them to consider life and careers beyond politics.

“Welcome to Troublesome Tuesday. I have a burning question for Liberian politicians. After being voted out of office, are there no other options?” Gbowee asked.

She further stated: “Why is everyone fighting to make a comeback? I want to offer free consultation on how to make it outside of politics. Jobs plenty oh. You just need to be creative.” Her comments quickly triggered mixed reactions on social media, with some Liberians supporting her position while others accused her of being politically biased.

‘Political Defeat Is Not Political Retirement’

Sekou Kalasco Damaro, a former aide to ex-President George Manneh Weah, pushed back against Gbowee’s argument, saying electoral defeat does not mean the end of a political movement.

Damaro pointed to the United States, Ghana and other countries where politicians who lost elections later returned to power.

He cautioned Gbowee against equating political defeat with permanent retirement from public life. “In a democracy, being voted out does not mean you lose your voice, your relevance, or your right to seek another mandate,” Damaro said.

He argued that politicians can lose elections at one point and return to the ballot box at another, describing democracy as a system that allows voters to change their minds.

In his words, the ballot box can remove you today and bring you back tomorrow, adding that it is democracy, not a permanent political death sentence.

“Look at the man who currently occupies the presidency of the United States, Donald Trump. He lost the 2020 presidential election, stepped away from office, rebuilt his political movement, returned to the ballot, and won again,” he stressed.

Damaro asked: “So, does America have no jobs? Or is the difference simply that Americans understand that political office is a temporary mandate, not a permanent entitlement?”

Critics Question Gbowee’s Timing

Rudolf Ban Daniel Tamba also challenged Gbowee’s position, questioning why she did not make a similar statement during the 2023 elections.

“You should have posted this or similar in 2023 also. Posting this now makes me believe you are biased,” Tamba said.

Gbowee previously served as National Orator during Liberia’s 173rd Independence Day celebration in 2020.

Morris Saryon similarly argued that Gbowee should have made such comments during her tenure as National Orator.

“You should have reasonably shared this in 2020 when you had the opportunity to speak to your no position, in position and opposition. Many of you so called advocates are bunch of hypocrites in Liberia,” Saryon said.

Saye Nehwon also referenced the Unity Party’s return to power after its defeat in 2017.

“After Unity Party 12 years in power and they were defeated in 2017, we saw them fighting to come back to power. I’m here wondering if the current president had any professional ideas on how to make it outside politics,” Nehwon said.

Anthony N. Wleh also challenged Gbowee’s assertion, pointing to other countries where politicians have returned to power after losing elections. “Go ask Ghana, Sierra Leone, The United States of America about what led them to bring back people they previously voted out,” Wleh said.

Others Agree with Gbowee

Despite the criticism, some Liberians supported Gbowee’s argument that political office should not be viewed as the only pathway to a meaningful career.

Thomas Lukaku Walters said he agreed with the Nobel laureate, arguing that losing political office should not signal the end of an individual’s relevance or career.

“Absolutely, I agree with you. There is life and opportunity outside politics. Losing political office should not mean the end of one’s career or relevance. With creativity, skills, and the willingness to work, there are many opportunities available. Sometimes, it’s about looking beyond government positions and creating your own path,” Walters said.

Joe P. B. Kai, a civil servant, said he is not among those seeking a return to politics, although he acknowledged that civil service jobs do not always provide the income he desires.

Kai, however, asked Gbowee to provide practical guidance on how people can explore legitimate opportunities outside government employment.

“So, I would like take your advice: while thinking beyond government, what are those best creative avenues, that can be explored as a mean of opportunities outside the civil service. What are those legitimate ways to build a successful career and create additional income without depending on political office,” Kai asked.

‘Their Only Career Is Politics’

Kromah Alhaji, a former student leader at the University of Liberia now based in the United States, argued that for some Liberians, leaving politics is difficult because political engagement has become their primary career path.

“But seriously, how are some of these politicians supposed to make it outside politics when politics is the only career they’ve mastered?” Alhaji asked.

According to him, many politicians have relied for years on patronage, connections, government positions and allegations of corruption.

“Take away the title, government vehicle, influence, and access to public resources-what’s left? That’s the real challenge,” he said.

Alhaji added: “Maybe instead of planning another political comeback, it’s time to learn entrepreneurship, technology, business management, agriculture, consulting, and other productive skills.

Liberia has opportunities beyond politics. The question is: can you survive without a government position? Now that is the real test.”