Nimba County is on the verge of a political showdown as Representative Samuel Kogar of District #5 and Representative Musa Bility of District #7 position themselves for dominance ahead of the April 22, 2025, senatorial by-election. Both lawmakers, representing rival political factions, are expected to escalate their rivalry as they compete to fill the seat left vacant by the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson.
Representative Samuel Kogar, who was recently declared the official candidate of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), has issued a stern warning against the rise of any political party in Nimba outside the MDR. Kogar, addressing supporters during the party’s primary on March 1, 2025, declared that any new political movement seeking a foothold in the county is an attempt to dismantle Senator Johnson’s legacy.
“MDR is the party of Nimba County,” Kogar asserted. “Any party that emerges in Nimba means that its founders do not want the legacy of Senator Prince Johnson to remain here. Whether it is YDC, WTO, or any other party, bringing a new political group to Nimba means you are a confusnist.”
His comments were widely interpreted as a direct attack on Representative Musa Bility, who was elected unopposed as the political leader of the newly formed Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) on the same day. Bility’s election in Nimba County signals his ambition to reshape the political landscape, directly challenging MDR’s longstanding regional dominance.
In his inaugural address, Bility, who also chairs the Rule of Law Legislative Caucus in the House of Representatives, vowed to prioritize the fight against corruption. “I will use every ounce of my strength to fight corruption,” he declared, promising to champion transparency, accountability, and national development.
The rivalry between Kogar and Bility is not new. The two lawmakers are already on opposing sides of the political divide in the House of Representatives. Kogar supports Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Koon, while Bility remains aligned with embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. This tension is expected to escalate as both men seek to consolidate power in Nimba ahead of the by-election, fueling a broader struggle for political dominance in the county.
Kogar’s candidacy was boosted in February when Madam Arhifa Boyidee, the widow of the late Senator Prince Johnson, publicly endorsed him. Boyidee described Kogar as a capable leader who understands Nimba’s needs and can effectively represent the county’s interests.
MDR’s leadership has also backed Kogar, with senior member Kelvin DJ Matadi emphasizing the party’s determination to retain the Senate seat. “We must do everything to secure the seat previously occupied by the founding father, Senator Johnson,” Matadi declared in a social media post.
The by-election holds deep symbolic and political significance for Nimba County. Both Kogar and the late Senator Johnson hail from Nyor-Gormahplay, Buu Yao, District #5, adding a layer of emotional connection to the contest. Kogar first entered the Legislature in 2011 under the National Union for Democratic Progress (NUDP) but later aligned with MDR following Senator Johnson’s death in February 2025.
Meanwhile, as the race intensifies, the rivalry between Kogar’s MDR and Bility’s CMC is poised to reshape political loyalties in Nimba. With both men competing to inherit Senator Johnson’s political legacy, the upcoming by-election is set to become a crucial contest over the future direction of Liberia’s second-most populous county.
