By: Archie Boan
The deepening feud between Vice President Jeremiah K. Koung and Senator Samuel G. Kogar is turning into a nemesis for Nimba County ahead of 2029 elections. Recently, VP Koung declared Senator Nya Twayen as Senior Senator for Nimba, but Senator Kogar on Thursday rebuked him.
Nimba County Senator Samuel G. Kogar has sharply responded to ongoing political debate over who holds the title of senior and junior senator of Nimba County, declaring the argument “constitutionally mute” and driven by misunderstanding rather than law.
Speaking to legislative reporters, Senator Kogar cited Articles 45 and 46 of the 1986 Constitution, asserting that claims about seniority in the county’s Senate representation have no legal basis given current circumstances.
According to him, Article 46 originally structured the Senate so that, after the 1985 elections, Prince Y. Johnson became Nimba’s senior senator, while Adolphus Dolo became junior senator. Their terms would determine seniority only once.
But Kogar says that arrangement no longer applies.
“The constitution provides that after the initial arrangement, every senator goes for nine years. When the term of the junior senator expired, the issue of senior and junior became mute,” Kogar explained.
He added that the Constitution gives no new seniority ranking in subsequent elections including by-elections.
Referencing Article 45, Kogar clarified how replacement senators should serve:
“Article 45 says when there is death, expulsion, resignation or otherwise, the person elected in a by-election serves the remaining term of the seat under review.”
He argued that this provision is exactly what placed Sen. Nyan Twayen in the “remaining term” seat previously held by Jeremiah Koung, who became Vice President.
Likewise, following the death of Sen. Prince Y. Johnson, a by-election was constitutionally required a process through which Kogar himself emerged victorious.
For that reason, he says, both he and Sen. Twayen are currently completing the leftover terms of their predecessors.
“Each senator has equal voting power.
There is no discrimination in votes. Both of us are completing the remaining nine-year terms of those two senators,” Kogar stated.
He concluded emphatically:
“Automatically, the issue of senior and junior is mute.”
The senator’s remarks come amid political chatter and attempts by some actors to assign seniority for influence within the county’s political structure. Kogar insists that the Constitution, not public debate, settles the matter.
