As the people of Nimba County District #5 prepare to head to the polls, the political air is thick with anticipation. The seat left vacant by Hon. Samuel G. Kogar has attracted a diverse lineup of 11 aspirants, all eager to represent the district at the House of Representatives.
According to the preliminary list released by the National Elections Commission (NEC), the race has drawn a mix of seasoned politicians, emerging voices, and party-backed candidates, each with their own promise of change and commitment to development. Among them are three independent aspirants Bories B. Barlea, Tarkpor A. Mambia, and Cole Williams who are banking on grassroots support and community trust rather than party machinery.
The rest represent a spectrum of Liberia’s political landscape from the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) to the Democratic People’s Party of Liberia (DPPL), and the newly visible Liberia Rebuilding Party (REBUILDERS), which has fielded the only female aspirant, Madee Kamah Wongbay. Her candidacy symbolizes growing calls for gender inclusion in Liberian politics.
Augustus Karnay Menkoah of VOLT and Joseph Gondee Wehyee Jr. of LPDP bring with them political experience, while fresh faces like Abraham Karkpo and Jackson Soumie Yuo aim to connect with younger, change-hungry voters.
As campaign activities intensify, residents of District #5 are engaging in community forums, town hall meetings, and radio talk shows, scrutinizing each aspirant’s agenda for education, agriculture, road connectivity, youth empowerment, and health care.
The final list of candidates will be confirmed after NEC completes its verification and hearing processes.
Until then, all eyes remain on Nimba where once again, democracy will be tested, and the people will decide: Who succeeds Kogar?
