Sanniquellie, Nimba County –The stage is set for a crucial senatorial by-election in Nimba County, but the political atmosphere is thick with tension, controversy, and growing public concern over tribal division, sexism, and election integrity.As the county gears up for the April 22 vote, citizens are being urged to choose a new senator, but the campaign season has largely been overshadowed by a lack of substantive policy debate and an escalation of divisive rhetoric. Instead of focusing on development, poverty alleviation, and governance, candidates and political actors have been caught in a swirl of tribal loyalties and accusations of electoral malpractice.
While the campaign was going on, many Nimbians specifically of Electoral District #8 threated to boycott Tuesday’s election if their leaders do pay attention to their demands. They alarmed over bad roads conditions, healthcare services, lack of good school facilities, as well as lack of safe drinking water.According to them, for tool long their leaders have paid blind eyes to their concerns, stressing that it is about time that they demand from those who want to lead them. Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, a son of Nimba and key political figure, has come under fire for comments seen by some as deepening tribal divides. In his final campaign message, VP Koung addressed the ongoing debate around tribal representation in the Senate, arguing that calls for balanced tribal representation between the Gio and Mano ethnic groups should not be misconstrued as tribalism.“
The key element in tribalism is to prefer one group to the disadvantage of another group only because you are from the group that is preferred,” Koung stated. He emphasized that advocating for one Gio and one Mano senator in a county historically dominated by both groups is a matter of fairness and tradition—not tribalism. “This has been a long-standing practice of equal representation in Nimba,” Koung added.Meanwhile, candidate Edith Gongloe-Weh has raised alarms about potential election fraud. Without naming names, Gongloe-Weh alleged that one of her main opponents may be preparing to tamper with the vote using pre-marked ballots transported in an unmarked black SUV.“We have walked together an inch to the end of the campaign at 12 midnight today. Tuesday, vote for #3 on the ballot paper,” she told supporters. In a direct appeal to her grassroots base, particularly young people and commercial motorcyclists, she urged voters not only to cast their ballots but also to remain at polling centers to safeguard the integrity of the vote. “Protect your vote. Stay and watch it counted,” she stressed.Despite the fiery rhetoric and uncertainty, the people of Nimba remain eager to exercise their democratic right on Tuesday. Yet, as the clock ticks down, questions loom large over the credibility of the process and the unity of a county known for its complex tribal tapestry.
Many sons and daughters of Nimba are calling for a peaceful, free and fair electoral process in the county. Admits all of the political tension in Nimba, a permanent son of the county has written a passionate plea to all citizens of to remain peaceful. “Today, I speak to you not only as a State Representative from Rhode Island, but as a true son of this land—a son born of the Gio and Mano people, raised by the warmth, strength, and love of Nimba.Continuing, he stated: “As we prepare to choose our next senator, I stand here to honor and support all the candidates who have answered the call to serve. Each of them brings dreams, passion, and vision. They are stepping forward in the spirit of democracy, and for that, they deserve our respect. But before we look to the future, we must also honor the past. Nimba has lost a giant. The late Senator Prince Y. Johnson was more than a man—he was a symbol. A beacon. A voice that echoed through the mountains and valleys of this great county,” he noted. According to him, no one in Nimba County can fill the gap that was created by the late senator Johnson, while urging the county to carry his memory in their hearts. “No one can ever truly fill his shoes. His legacy, love for the people, and fearless presence will forever live in the heart of Nimba. Let us carry his memory forward with dignity and pride. As a son of this soil, I am overwhelmed with pride—not just because of where I come from, but because of who we are. Our strength lies in our people: Gio, Mano, Mandingo, Krahn, and Gba. Each tribe, each family, each village—we are threads woven into one strong fabric. And that unity is our power.”
