NIMBA – Vice President Jeremiah Koung has officially endorsed Samuel Kogar, the candidate from the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), in the upcoming by-election scheduled for April 22, 2025.

By Selma Lomax selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

The by-election follows the death of influential Nimba County Senator and MDR founder Prince Johnson in November 2024. Last week, the National Elections Commission (NEC) announced eight preliminary candidates for the election.

In a simulcast telephone call aired via community radio stations in the county, Koung, a member of the ruling Unity Party, voiced his support for Kogar, stating that he believes Kogar is the right person to succeed the late Johnson.

“I will support Mack Gblinwon, the candidate of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) in a different election but not this one. I believe Kogar has all it takes to replace the late Johnson,” Koung said.

Koung further appealed to the Mah people of Nimba, urging them to allow the Dan people to take part in this election. “I am begging the Mah people! I think the Mah people should leave this election for the Dan people since we already have a Mah Senator. Let’s keep the balance to make the County stable. Let’s keep our county together and it will be in our interest,” he added.

Koung’s endorsement settles any uncertainty about his support for Kogar, especially after his earlier decision not to formally endorse a candidate in last year’s by-election when Nyan Twanyen replaced him as senator following his elevation to the vice presidency.