ON TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025, the citizens of Nimba County are expected to turn out in their numbers to cast individual votes to elect a senator who will occupy the vacant seat created as a result of the demise of the county’s longest serving Senator- Prince Yormie Johnson, who died in December 2024.
SINCE 2005 ELECTIONS which brought the fallen senator to the seat, he remained undefeated during all senatorial elections conducted by Liberia’s Electoral Body- the National Elections Commission (NEC) over the years until death laid its icy hands on him at the close of 2024.
THIS POLITICAL VACUUM has since raised debate amongst Nimbaians to make determination of a suitable character to fill the gap in this politically- charged county.
WHILE IT REMAINS the fundamental right of legible Nimbaians to make voluntary decision in electing one of their citizens to occupy the seat, the governing Unity Party and the Liberia opposition community are testing strength which is likely to determine what happens in 2029.
WE SENSE THE governing UP massively supporting its collaborating Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) candidate to retain the seat; and by this struggle, Vice President Jeremiah Koung would gain morale that Nimba County is under his control.
EQUALLY SO, OPPOSITION political parties see the opportunity as theirs to take advantage and deny the governing party the seat; thereby believing that the seat going to opposition would be a litmus test for 2029 elections.
AS THE GOVERNING UP supports sitting Representative Samuel Kogar of the MDR, massive support from the opposition community goes to the lone female candidate- Edith Gongloe-Weh whose latest participation is the fourth for the seat.
YET, TWO OTHER candidates- Mark Gblenwon and Garrison Yealue, have support bases not to be overlooked in the race as they could cause stir against the chances of Koga and Gongloe-Weh in securing the seat.
OF COURSE, THERE are seven candidates in the pending race, but four of the candidates whose names have been highlighted in this paper’s opinion have overshadowed other contestants of the by-election before and during the period of campaign.
HOWBEIT, WE CAUTION Nimbaians who are the real dramatis personae in this political field of play to vote right because their franchise to be demonstrated on Tuesday will live after them for the next eight years and beyond, either to regret or rejoice as a result of their votes cast.