MONROVIA, May 5 (LINA) – The former Chairman of the National Patriotic Party (NPP), Cyril Allen, has called for the reduction to “five or six” the number of political parties in the country.

 
Liberia currently has 22 political parties, and the creation of two additional parties will bring to 24 the total number of political parties in the country.
 
“I detest that very strongly; the proliferation of political parties in Liberia and I think we should be galvanizing our strength and coming together with similar ideologies under one umbrella to move ahead with the governance of this country; to make it much better for our children and generations unborn,” he pointed out.
 
Allen made the call on the ELBC “Bumper Show” Monday, during which he described the proliferation of parties as a “taboo.”
 
He envisages a country free of oppression, suppression and indignation, one whose leader has the capacity and charisma to unite people while fostering development.
 
"This is the kind of person we need for national leadership,” he added, and challenged Liberians to work hard in conforming to the challenges of changing times.
 
He lamented the devastating effects of the Ebola epidemic on the country’s economy which, he said, also affected the individual lives of people.
LINA BK/JGT/TSS/PTK