In an unprecedented move, the Liberian Senate has approved the transfer of the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson’s seat to a museum being constructed in his honor in Sanniquellie, Nimba County.
The gesture aims to memorialize the legacy of the prominent Nimba County lawmaker, often regarded as a “political godfather” by his constituents.
The seat, symbolically draped in black cloth, was removed from the Senate chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms and ceremoniously handed over to Nimba County’s current senator, Nya D. Twayen. Senator Twayen, who succeeded Jeremiah Koung after his elevation to the vice presidency, received the seat on behalf of the people of Nimba.
The ceremony in the Senate chamber included a solemn performance by the Senate Mass Choir and scripture readings by the Senate Chaplain. Senator Twayen expressed gratitude to his colleagues for granting his constituents’ request and emphasizing the late senator’s enduring impact on the county and the nation.
“This seat, which our late political godfather occupied in the Senate, will be placed in the museum being built in his honor,” Twayen remarked during the event.
The museum, currently under construction in Sanniquellie, is part of an initiative to preserve and celebrate Senator Johnson’s life and contributions. Although he was laid to rest in Ganta City, the museum’s location in the Nimba capital reflects his countywide influence and significance.
Serving nearly a decade in the Liberian Senate, Senator Johnson was a dominant political figure, deeply admired by many in his home county. His death in late 2024 marked the end of an era, but his legacy lives on through initiatives like the museum.
This decision to memorialize a senator’s seat marks a first in Liberia’s history, underscoring Prince Johnson’s unique role in the nation’s political landscape.
