Ex-presidential candidate differs with Vice President Jeremaih Koung’s recent call to all Nimbaians to elect a Gio-speaking candidate, instead, stressing a need for balance representation from Nimba.
By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, Liberia, March 25, 2025 – Former Presidential Candidate, Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, also a son of Nimba Couny sharply react to Vice President Jeremiah K. Koung’s perceived divisive tribal politics here, reminding the Vice President that Nimba County is for all tribes in Nimba, not only the Gio-speaking people in the county.
Vice President Koung had warned the Mah-speaking people and other tribes in Nimba gearing up for the pending senatorial by-election to give the by-election to the Gio or Dan group, rather than wasting their votes to someone else in the race.
But addressing a news conference on Monday, March 24, 2025, at his Gongloe and Associates Law Office in Monrovia, Cllr. Gongloe noted that the great county of Nimba stands at a pivotal moment.
He says as all Nimbaians may be aware, the ruling Unity Party and its alliance, the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction already have a representation in the Liberian Senate those hails from Nimba, while arguing that for a truly balanced representation of the people, the opposition must also hold a seat in the senate chamber.
“Let us send a clear message: Nimba is a county where everyone—regardless of gender, district, or political affiliation—can serve. In this spirit, it is equally vital that the politically-marginalized population of Nimba County—including women, and members of the Krahn, Mandingo, Kpelleh, and Bassa (Gbi and Doru) ethnic groups—be made to feel that they are an inclusive part of Nimba County” Cllr. Gongloe underscores.
He believes that this can be achieved by ensuring they are given a fair chance during legislative elections, adding that Nimba County should be for all Nimbaians; therefore, in light of geographic and gender balance, fiscal responsibility and principled leadership, all Nimbaians should instead, vote for the lone female candidate in the senatorial by-election.
“You have seven qualified opposition candidates from whom to choose, but among these, there is a unique candidate, a woman who once served admirably as Superintendent of our county and has come second in three previous senatorial elections. Notably, there is no woman in the Nimba Legislative Caucus. Edith Gongloe-Weh not only hails from Yarwin-Mehnsonnoh Statutory District—one of the districts yet to produce a senator—but she is also the sole female candidate in this race. I’m urging you to vote for Madam Edith Gongloe Weh. She is our best path to inclusive, balanced, and forward-looking leadership in the Senate”, he urges.
He notes that historically, all the original districts of Nimba have produced senators, except Yarwin-Mehnsonnoh and Gbelley Geh, reflecting that in the past, the pattern of Senate representation in Nimba County ensured balance, one senator from upper Nimba and the other from lower Nimba.
He recalls that the last election that reflected this pattern was in 1997, which resulted in the election of Senator Margaret Kermah of Tappita, Lower Nimba County, and Senator George Korkor of Gbanquoi, Upper Nimba County.
“Presently, a senator from Upper Nimba County is already serving. There is, therefore, a compelling need for representation from Lower Nimba County. This combination of historical need, geographic balance, and gender inclusiveness makes her the ideal choice to fill the existing Senate vacancy”, Cllr. Gongloe continues.
Candidate Edith Gongloe Weh is a biological sister of the former presidential contestant, who is currently political leader of the Liberian People’s Party, LPP.
Cllr. Gongloe also argues that aside from considering national and fiscal importance in the Nimba by-election, the senatorial candidate of the ruling party, Representative Samuel Kogar, is a sitting member of the House of Representatives for district #5, Nimba County.
Therefore, if he wins the election, it will trigger yet another by-election which will be the third such election since the 2023 presidential and legislative polls.
“These elections are not without cost. At a time when the United States has cut its aid to Liberia and when our nation is being urged to adopt austerity measures, should we really be planning for yet another expensive by-election just two years after the general elections? This is not just about political strategy, it is about responsible governance”, he cautions.
He warns that Liberia cannot afford to keep spending millions on elections that could be avoided through better foresight and decision-making.
“Voting for the ruling party’s candidate, in this case, opens the door to unnecessary government expenditure, further burdening our struggling economy. For too long, the women of Nimba have been denied a seat at the legislative table. Our neighbors—Bong, Grand Gedeh, and Grand Bassa Counties—have all elected women to their legislative caucuses. Yet we continue to deny our own mothers and daughters the opportunity to serve. Electing Edith Gongloe Weh would be a meaningful step toward correcting that injustice. It would be a signal that Nimba values the voices of all its citizens”, Cllr. Gongloe emphasizes.
The National Elections Commission has scheduled the Nimba Senatorial By-election for April 22, 2025. Editing by Jonathan Browne
