– But She Suspects foul play
Kebeh Sammie & Shallon S. Gonlor
Rep. Samuel Kogar of the MDR, who appears to succeed the late Senator Prince Yormie Johnson, is currently leading comfortably in the ongoing election, according to unofficial results. His main opponent is Madam Edith Gongolone Weh, the only female candidate in the race. Kogar’s strong performance has garnered widespread support, with messages of congratulations pouring in from various political leaders, supporters, and members of the ruling Unity Party.
This election was triggered by the death of the incumbent senator, Prince Y. Johnson, who was a prominent figure in the region and served his constituents with dedication. The vacancy left by his passing prompted the electoral process to select a new representative to serve in his stead.
Kogar, who is backed by the Unity Party, is seen by many as the natural successor to Johnson, benefiting from the party’s influence and his own political experience. The official results are yet to be announced, but the prevailing unofficial figures suggest that Kogar has secured a comfortable lead, raising expectations of a decisive victory.
The election has drawn significant attention from the community and political observers, as it marks an important moment for the region in continuing the legacy of the late senator. Supporters of Kogar remain optimistic about his chances to win the seat and continue the development initiatives started by Johnson, while Weh’s supporters are hopeful for a strong showing as the counting process continues. Overall, the political atmosphere is one of anticipation and heightened engagement, reflecting the importance of this electoral contest for the region’s future.
Meanwhile, the race’s sole female candidate in the Nimba County Senatorial By-electikn, Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh, called on the National Elections Commission (NEC) to ensure a free, fair, and transparent process.
Speaking to journalists after voting at a polling station in Ganta, Gongloe-Weh emphasized that the credibility of the electoral body would be a defining factor in this election. “Credibility must be the key theme of this by-election,” she asserted. “The National Elections Commission must demonstrate seriousness and treat this process with the highest level of importance.”
Madam Weh is contesting against five other candidates including current Nimba County District #5 Representative Samuel Gongben Kogar, who is being supported by the ruling establishment. Recently, several senior government officials faced criticism for allegedly misusing Nimba County’s Social Development Fund (SDF) to influence the political allegiance of local leaders.
During an event tagged as an appreciation program for local authorities Friday, 786 town chiefs and 20 district commissioners across Nimba’s 19 administrative districts reportedly received $500 USD each, totaling $393,000 USD (L$78.6 million). Seventeen motorcycles were also distributed to district commissioners.
Also on late Monday, several individuals claiming to be shortlisted applicants of the National Elections Commission (NEC) of Liberia expressed deep frustration over what they described as unfair treatment and sudden replacement after being trained by the Commission. According to the group, they underwent official training by NEC Liberia in preparation for upcoming electoral activities.
However, to their dismay, their names which they say were initially included on the final list of assigned electoral workers were reportedly replaced by hand-written names using ink pen, rather than the expected computerized final list. It is all of these Madam Weh has taken into consideration that she is cautioning NEC officials against any actions that could undermine public trust, warning that electoral malpractice would have far-reaching consequences.
Despite her strong stance, Gongloe-Weh urged her supporters and all citizens to remain peaceful and allow the electoral body to carry out its duties without interference. The Nimba County Senatorial By-Election has drawn significant attention, with multiple candidates vying for the seat. Gongloe-Weh’s participation as the only woman in the race has added a unique dynamic, with many observers watching to see if her campaign’s focus on transparency and good governance will resonate with voters.
Edith Bid On Solid Ground
The senatorial bid of Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh has since received a major boost after two of Liberia’s most influential female leaders—former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor—publicly endorsed her candidacy for the upcoming Nimba County by-election.
The former president’s endorsement came on Thursday, April 17, 2025, during a high-profile fundraising campaign held at the Invincible Sports Park in Fish Market, Sinkor. While Madam Sirleaf delivered her endorsement in person, former Vice President Taylor conveyed her support in a pre-recorded message.
“She will do well in the Liberian Legislature”
In her statement, Africa’s first elected female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, emphasized the importance of increasing women’s representation in Liberia’s legislature. “I am joining the women of Liberia to support women candidates in the legislature. Liberia can not be left behind. Other countries are moving forward to give women their rightful place. Anyone who stops them is stopping progress in the world. So we are here to support Edith Gongloe, a candidate in Nimba County.”
Urging Nimba to balance its senatorial scale
If successful, Madam Gongloe-Weh will be the first female Senator of Nimba County. It is also because of this and other apt reasons that Former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, a prominent gender advocate and Standard Bearer of the National Patriotic Party (NPP), also threw her full support behind Gongloe-Weh. In her pre-recorded message, Madam Taylor appealed to the people of Nimba to rally behind the only female candidate in the race.
“Greetings to the resilient and progressive people of Nimba County. I am Jewel Howard Taylor, the former vice president of the Republic of Liberia and Standard Bearer of the National Patriotic Party (NPP). I extend my heartfelt greetings and unwavering commitment to the advancement of inclusive governance in our beloved country. Today, as a long-standing gender advocate, I am honored to publicly endorse the candidacy of Madam Edith Gongloe Weh, the only female contender in the Nimba County Senator race.”
Even though progress has been made in recent years, women’s political participation in Liberia still a matter of concern as it remains hindered by faces Violence and Intimidation, Lack of mandatory legal Quotas, Cultural and Traditional Barriers, and notably Lack of Financial Resources. Undoubtedly, these have resulted in less women’s representation in the Liberian legislature and discouraged other women from getting involved with national politics.
If Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh succeeds this time, she will bring the number of female senators to four, as there are currently three out of the thirty senators at the Liberian Senate. At the end of the House of Representatives, there are only eight females among the 73 members. This means that there are just 11 females out of the 103 members of the 55th National Legislature of the Republic of Liberia.
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, women from diverse backgrounds across Liberia launched the #SheDeservesASeat campaign, in support of Edith Gongloe-Weh in the upcoming Nimba County senatorial by-election. They are dedicating April 15-19, 2025, to generating funds to protect Madam Weh’s votes comes Tuesday. Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh, a native of Gleayee Zorpea in Nimba County District #9, is a seasoned politician and former Superintendent of Nimba County. She assumed office in June 2009, succeeding the late Robert Kamei, and quickly embarked on transformative projects, including the renovation of the Superintendent’s compound and the construction of schools, town halls, and bridges.
