Nimba County – In an effort to streamline the electoral process and improve representative quality, former Representative candidate Samson Wonnah has proposed the use of chiefdoms-based primaries ahead of the impending by-election in Nimba County’s Electoral District #5.
Wonnah’s proposal comes in response to the political vacuum created by the recent elevation of former Representative Samuel G. Kogar to the Liberian Senate. Kogar was sworn in on Thursday, May 15, following his victory in the senatorial by-election held to replace the late Senator Prince Yormie Johnson, who passing has last year left a significant void in the upper house of the Legislature.
With the House of Representatives seat for District #5 now vacant, political hopefuls are preparing for what is anticipated to be a fiercely contested race.
During the 2023 general election, the district saw a flood of 13 candidates on the ballot—an overcrowding that, according to Wonnah, fragmented the vote and weakened the community’s ability to unite behind a single strong representative.
Appearing on Radio Kergheamahn in Saclepea, Wonnah proposed that each chiefdom within the district conduct its own internal primary to determine a single candidate.
Those selected through the local processes would then compete in the district-wide by-election.
He argued that this grassroots method would allow communities to identify and rally behind their strongest representative, thereby simplifying the choices presented to voters during the general election.
“This is not about undermining democracy-it about strengthening it,” Wonnah said. “Our people deserve a fair chance to elect leaders who genuinely represent their interests. When the ballot is crowded with a dozen names, the voices of the majority get lost in the noise.”
According to Wonnah, he and twelve other aspirants have already begun preliminary consultations with Senator Kogar to draft a formal resolution in support of the chiefdom-based primary system. He said the goal is to present the resolution for community endorsement and then forward it to the National Elections Commission for consideration as a mechanism to guide the candidate selection process.
The proposed system seeks to preserve the inclusive and democratic spirit of Liberia’s electoral process while addressing the specific challenges faced by rural districts like Nimba #5, where logistical hurdles, tribal affiliations, and political fragmentation often hinder efficient and meaningful representation.
Wonnah also used the platform to officially declare his intention to contest in the upcoming by-election. A veteran of past races, he believes his experience and continued engagement with constituents position him as a credible contender.
As the by-election approaches, Wonnah’s proposal is already sparking debate among political watchers, some of whom view it as a potential model for other rural constituencies facing similar issues. Others, however, have raised concerns over the logistics and legality of conducting unofficial primaries outside the framework of national electoral law.
Nevertheless, with growing support from aspirants and community leaders alike, the chiefdoms-based primary plan may gain traction as a grassroots alternative to the chaotic candidate fields of past elections.
Whether it will be officially adopted or not, the proposal has already succeeded in stirring constructive dialogue on how to better represent the people of Nimba County’s District #5.
