Vice President Koung’s Call for Unity in Nimba’s Senatorial By-election

Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has been accused of promoting divisive tribal politics by urging Mah-speaking people to vote exclusively for Gio-speaking candidate Samuel Kogar in the upcoming Nimba County Senatorial by-election. This bid is framed as a means to maintain balance in tribal representation following the death of influential Senator Prince Yormie Johnson. The election is set for April 22, 2025.

In the lead-up to the Nimba Senatorial by-election, Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has faced criticism for allegedly reviving divisive tribal politics. He has urged the Mah-speaking people and other tribal groups to support the candidacy of Senatorial Candidate Samuel Kogar, who belongs to the Gio-speaking tribe, warning that any other choice would be a waste of their votes.

VP Koung has emphasized the importance of maintaining balance in the county’s leadership by stating that it is inequitable for one tribe to dominate the senatorial positions. He has called for the Mah tribe to forgo their aspirations for the senatorial seat, suggesting this would contribute to a stable governance in Nimba. The late Senator Prince Yormie Johnson, a prominent figure from the Gio tribe, is recognized as a key influencer in Nimba’s political dynamics.

He further articulates that the continued occupancy of both seats by a single tribe, namely the Mah, is not conducive to harmony. The presence of Nimba’s lone Senator, Nya D. Twayen, Jr., from the Manor tribe, complicates the tribal representation, given that both he and the late Senator Johnson represent different ethnic groups. VP Koung insists on the need for the Gio tribe to reclaim the senatorial seat following Johnson’s passing.

Samuel Kogar, the current representative and candidate for the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), is backed firmly by Vice President Koung. The Nimba County Senatorial by-election is scheduled for April 22, 2025, following the death of the influential Prince Y. Johnson.

Declaring his support explicitly for Kogar, VP Koung urges voters to recognize Kogar’s potential impact, describing him as a bold representative who can address Nimba’s concerns effectively. He further warns constituents that votes for other candidates would be squandered, implying the lack of alternatives that could represent their interests adequately in the legislature. Koung’s call to action for the Mah population is aimed at providing a united front in the election to sustain equilibrium in their political landscape.

In conclusion, Vice President Jeremiah Koung’s appeal for tribal support in the upcoming Nimba Senatorial by-election has sparked controversy regarding the reinforcement of tribal politics in Liberia. His insistence on voting for Samuel Kogar from the Gio tribe underscores the intricate dynamics of tribal allegiance in political contests. As the election date approaches, it remains essential to observe how these calls for unity might influence voter behavior and the broader political environment in Nimba County.

Original Source: thenewdawnliberia.com