Representative Samuel G. Kogar of Nimba County’s Electoral District #5 has emerged as the official candidate of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) for the upcoming senatorial by-election.
Kogar went unopposed and was declared the party’s candidate by white ballot during the MDR primary held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Gompa City.
The by-election seeks to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the death of MDR’s founding father, Senator Prince Y. Johnson. Accepting the party’s endorsement, Kogar declared MDR as the dominant political force in Nimba County and criticized the emergence of other political groups attempting to gain influence in the region.
“MDR is the party of Nimba County. 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 you are a confusnist,” Kogar asserted.
His endorsement follows growing support within the MDR and the Unity Party Alliance, with senior MDR member Kelvin DJ Matadi emphasizing the party’s commitment to retaining the seat. “We must do everything to secure the seat that was previously occupied by the founding father, Senator Johnson,” Matadi stated in a Facebook post before the primary. “The candidate coming out of this process will be the MDR and the Nimba people’s candidate.”
Kogar’s candidacy received a significant boost in February when Madam Arhifa Boyidee, the widow of the late Senator Prince Johnson, publicly endorsed him as the rightful successor. Madam Boyidee explained that her decision followed consultations with family members and close associates, describing Kogar as a capable leader who understands Nimba’s needs and can effectively represent the county’s interests.
Despite speculation about her potential candidacy, Madam Boyidee dismissed any intention to run, stating that she focuses on preserving her late husband’s legacy. She urged the people of Nimba to rally behind Kogar in the upcoming by-election.
