By Washington Tumay Watson –onewash9@gmail.com
MONROVIA-The just-ended by-elections in four counties, Bomi, Bong, Grand Gedeh and Nimba, the Representative for Nimba County District number five and Chairman of the People’s Unification Party, Samuel Kogar said the wings of Senator Prince Johnson have been ‘broken’ politically and there was no need for him to be referred to as ‘god father’ of that county.
According to him, Senator Johnson has been a serious embarrassment for their county over the years.
The two statesmen of Nimba have always been at each other’s throat over policy difference. Ironically, Representative Kogar is related to senator Johnson.
Senator Prince Y. Johnson has always boosted that he is the godfather of Nimba County, and many politicians have gone to him for ‘blessing’.
Speaking on the Truth Briefest show on Tuesday November 23, 2021, Representative Kogar said Senator Johnson has been inconsistent when he makes statements about for Nimba County as a leader.
“God never had a father. God had a son- Jesus . This is a litmus test. If Any government believes at this time that Nimba is a place of man show, it will be on a broken stake. The society was based on unity.
In the past, decisions taken , they were consulted. But since 1990, the tradition has been eroded,” he said.
He said, it is important for the people of Nimba to be holistic in their dealing. “We need to be holistic. When there are serious national issues, all elected people should sit and discuss it.”
He added, it is not the case; rather, Senator Johnson is only interested in denying things that he most often say to the citizens of the county.
Rep. Kogar said, PYJ is not demonstrating a leadership that will bring about unity, reconciliation and development in the county, but divisive politics and self-interest is what he is concerned with.
“All of the other tribes can become representative of a district, but for those two positions as senators are dominated by the mano and Gio.”
The PUP Chairman Kogar who supported Sam Brown(the candidate that won the just ended by-election said Senator Johnson inability to consult with the electorates during critical decisions making periods, is one of factors that is responsible for the unpopularity of the Nimba ‘political godfather’.
According to him, the reason that most of the times Senator Johnson’s candidates are defected at the district level is because of what he called his lack of consultations for the electorates to decide on who to vote for as a leader.
“Senator Johnson has huge influence at the time, so based on that he has not been respecting the people “he noted.
Representative Kogar furthered that Senator Johnson will find it difficult for his re-election in 2023 if the people from the Mano tribal group of Nimba put their house in order and put out a candidate that will stand against PYJ.
He said presently, the county’s two Senators, Jeremiah Koung and Prince Johnson are from the Gio ethnic group; something that has the propensity to undermine the chances of Senator Johnson winning the election over the Mano candidate if they do their political home work better.
But when this paper contacted Senator Johnson, he described Representative’s statement as rubbish. “I will win when I decide to vote. I remain the ‘god father’ of Nimba. My people love me. Do not mind what that boy is saying.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.