Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala, leader of the Liberia Political Centrism Movement (LPCM), has officially declared his support for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, signaling a decisive break from his former ties with the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). The endorsement was made during a high-level meeting with the President, where Gbala commended the administration’s “stability, sincerity of purpose, and national direction.”
Leading a delegation of LPCM executives, Gbala explained that after closely observing President Boakai’s consistent efforts to unite Liberians and place the nation firmly on the path of development, the Movement found it necessary to endorse his leadership and assist in strengthening the government’s agenda. He described the LPCM as a body of professionals from varied political backgrounds—many of them former CDC members who share the conviction that politics should be mature, reconciliatory, and focused on advancing the country.
He stressed that opposition must be constructive, not bitter, and should serve the singular purpose of national progress. President Boakai welcomed the endorsement warmly, calling it a vote of confidence in his unity-driven governance. He emphasized that his leadership is not guided by partisan considerations but by the broader goal of national advancement. Drawing on his long history of public service, he reiterated his commitment to reconciliation and collective development, underscoring his determination to bring Liberians together to achieve shared goals. During the meeting, the LPCM delegation presented the President with a branded t-shirt and cap as a symbolic gesture of solidarity.
Former CDC Assistant Minister Daniel Nux Thomas, now a prominent LPCM figure, reinforced the message by praising Boakai’s humility and vision, while extending early birthday wishes to the President. Gbala’s defection comes at a critical moment for the CDC, which analysts say is experiencing its deepest internal crisis since its formation. Following the party’s defeat in the 2023 elections, key coalition partners such as the National Patriotic Party (NPP) and Liberia People’s Democratic Party (LPDP) withdrew, while senior members resigned in large numbers. The expulsion of Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah in 2024 further weakened the party’s legislative strength.
Political analyst Augustine Zayzay described the situation as “complete structural collapse,” warning that the CDC may struggle to mount a credible comeback in 2029. The LPCM’s endorsement not only strengthens President Boakai’s reconciliation agenda but also raises the likelihood of further defections from CDC ranks. With thousands attending the LPCM’s launch earlier this year in Monrovia, centrism appears to be gaining traction as a popular movement rather than an elite project.
While CDC loyalists insist that former President George Weah remains Liberia’s most popular political figure, critics argue that personality alone cannot sustain a fractured party lacking organizational cohesion and a unified message. Kanio Bai Gbala’s endorsement of President Boakai through the LPCM has bolstered Boakai’s unity-driven governance while deepening the CDC’s internal turmoil, casting serious doubt on the party’s ability to mount a credible challenge in the 2029 elections.
