By Thomas Domah, Nimba County
Nimbaians seem divided, particularly members of the Gongloe Family, as defeated presidential candidate, Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe and his sister, Madam Edith Gongloe Wehyee, both from Nimba, part company here barely a day after the National Elections Commission announced final results of the Presidential election.
Both Brother Gongloe and Sister Gongloe have gone their separate ways here, with the Liberian People’s Party political leader endorsing former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, while Edith pledges support to President George Weah in the runoff scheduled for November 14.
In declaring her support for President Weah on Thursday, 26 October Madam Gongloe-Wehyee said the decision follows widespread thoughtful consultations.
On the other hand, her brother and political leader of the Liberian People’s Party (LPP) on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, publicly pledged support for Ambassador Joseph Boakai and Senator Jeremiah Koung, who are on the ‘Rescue Ticket’.
Cllr. Gongloe, who came third in the 10 October elections, made the pledge about 24 hours after the National Elections Commission announced final results for both the presidential and general elections. The results peg incumbent President Weah and Ambassador Boakai for the runoff, after the two obtained the highest percentages of votes cast across the country, but failed to reach the 50 percent plus one benchmark required to win the Presidency.
The rival contenders vied among a total of 20 presidential candidates during the 10th October poll.
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Speaking on Hot FM in Ganta City, Nimba County Thursday, most callers disagreed with Cllr. Gongloe’s decision to support the Unity Party in the runoff.
Daniel Belleh, dubbed as a son to the LPP political leader, among other callers said they supported him because of his sister, Edith Gongloe Wehyee’s continuous support toward Nimbaians and for her excellent leadership when she served as Superintendent of the county under the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
“We are not and will not follow the new home our political leader Cllr Gongloe is going. We only gathered in huge numbers to support him but this time around, we are not going to be with him”, they said.
Samuel Dolo and Elijah Wood, also supporters of Gongloe, lamented that they will not follow him to the Unity Party, but rather join others to endorse President George Weah for the runoff.
The dissatisfied supporters explained that both Senators Jeremiah Koung and Prince Johnson, who hail from Nimba have been ungrateful to Madam Gongloe Wehyee, who contested in two senatorial elections but lost because of their roles.
The LPP supporters added that they will not be ungrateful to President George Weah and his government for the level of development activities across Liberia, including provision of public transport to Nimba.
They recounted road pavement and free education for poor people, compared to the 12 years of leadership of the Unity Party.
However, some other Nimbaians, who also called on the live talk show, welcomed Cllr.Gongloe’s endorsement of the UP against the CDC. Editing by Jonathan Browne
