Ahead of the April 22, 2025, Nimba County senatorial by-election, Dr. Kardiker Rex Dahn, a prominent son of the county, has harshly condemned Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, also a well-respected Nimbaian.
Dahn accused him of betraying what he (Gongloe) has stood for over the years by upholding transparency and fighting grafts.
Dr. Dahn accused Cllr. Gongloe for endorsing his sister, Edith Leanue Gongloe Weh, a decision he said “contradicts the very values Gongloe has long championed.”
According to Dr. Dahn, Gongloe’s backing of his sister, a lone female candidate in the upcoming race, only sends shockwaves through the political landscape in the county.”
According to Dr. Dahn, “Edith’s reputation regarding her role in the mismanagement of public resources when she served as superintendent for the county remains in question.”
He continued: “Cllr. Gongloe has over the years been a champion in the fight against corruption. He has often symbolized his crusade with the broom—a powerful symbol of his determination to sweep corruption out of the country.
However, his endorsement of Edith, whose alleged “misuse of public funds during her tenure as superintendent in 2010, undermined the sincerity of the learned lawyer’s anti-corruption stance.”
Dahn said during the 2010 Independence Day celebrations in Nimba County, Edith oversaw the construction of several pit latrines in Ganta, with each latrine allegedly costing an exorbitant US$27,000. “This wasteful expenditure remains cleaved on the minds of the people of Nimba. For that, many see it as a glaring example of mismanagement of public funds. Despite these allegations, Cllr. Gongloe has publicly endorsed her for being a good leader, something which seems to have conflicted with his earlier rhetoric about rooting out corruption from the country’s political system.” “If he truly stands for transparency, justice and the fight against corruption, how can he align with someone whose actions have harmed the public trust? This endorsement casts serious doubt on his commitment to the values he has espoused throughout his career,” Dr. Dahn rhetorically remarked. While Cllr. Gongloe is yet to respond to Dr. Dahn’s condemnation, Dahn additionally blamed the lawyer for associating with another controversial figure, Musa Hassan Bility, whose character “remains questioned by the public,” “These alliances suggest a troubling shift in Cllr. Gongloe’s political efforts, one that could undermines the integrity as it relates to his fight against corruption,” Dahn. He continues: “For the people of Nimba County, this endorsement sends a worrying message. While it is undeniable that women should have a voice in the political landscape, Nimba deserves a leader who will prioritize accountability, transparency and the responsible use of public resources. Edith Gongloe-Weh, given her alleged history of corruption, does not appear as the right choice for the county’s future.” Meanwhile, Dr. has lauded the people of Nimba for rallying behind Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, “whose leadership is seen as more aligned with the needs and aspirations of the people.”
“As a concerned citizen, I stand firm in my support for VP Koung and will continue to advocate for leadership that prioritizes the interests of the people over personal or political allegiances.”