06/10/2025
Low Turnout Marks ANC’s 4th National Convention as Cummings Faces Growing Skepticism Ahead of 2029 Elections
By: Godfrey Morris
Kakata, Margibi County – The Alternative National Congress (ANC), one of Liberia’s opposition political parties, held its 4th National Convention over the weekend, but the event was notably marked by a low turnout, raising serious concerns about the party’s momentum ahead of the 2029 general elections.
The two-day convention, which commenced on Friday, October 3, 2025, brought together delegates from across Liberia. However, what was expected to be a major political gathering instead saw poor attendance — a situation that has sparked public debate about the viability and public appeal of the ANC and its political leader, Alexander B. Cummings.
The convention concluded on Saturday, October 4, 2025, with the election of new national leadership to steer the affairs of the party. Notably, Alexander Cummings was re-elected as political leader unopposed, winning on a white ballot.
In his address to the convention, Cummings painted a grim picture of Liberia’s socio-economic condition, stating that poverty has reached levels that are "beyond human imagination." He condemned the government's failure to create jobs and accused officials of mismanaging and misappropriating resources intended for the Liberian people.
“Everyone in Liberia is hungry. There are no jobs. Despite the government’s reluctance to address unemployment, officials continue to squander opportunities meant for ordinary citizens,” Cummings stated passionately.
Despite his conviction and calls for change, Cummings’ political credibility has been weakened by his underwhelming performances in recent elections. In the 2017 presidential race, Cummings secured 112,067 votes, which accounted for 7.2% of the total votes cast. However, his popularity took a sharp decline in the 2023 general elections, where he managed to obtain only 29,613 votes, or 1.61% of the 1,949,155 total votes cast in the first round — a figure many have described as disappointing for someone positioning himself as a national leader.
Political observers have not held back their criticism.
“How can someone who hasn’t even secured 10% of the national vote in two consecutive elections claim he can lead and transform the country?” asked one attendee, who preferred to remain anonymous.
Another observer pointed to the poor attendance at the convention as further evidence of Cummings’ waning influence.
“Imagine — a poorly attended 4th National Convention, yet he says he wants to lead Liberia in a new direction. The disconnect is clear,” the individual added.
Mary Elliott, a delegate from Margibi County, was even more blunt in her assessment.
“Mr. 1% can’t win even twelve years from now. Cummings is a big scammer. We Liberians are not ready to entrust our future to someone who continues to underperform and over promise.”
Despite the backlash, Alexander Cummings remains resolute in his ambition to govern.
He insists that with proper leadership, Liberia’s wealth can be equitably managed to benefit all citizens. He emphasized job creation, transparency, and accountability as key pillars of his vision for a "new Liberia."
As the 2029 elections gradually approach, the ANC’s ability to rebuild public trust and mobilize grassroots support will be a critical test — not just for Cummings, but for the future of the party itself.
