Liberia News: WHO STEPS IN PYJ SHOES

1

Monrovia-Nimba County is still reeling from the surprising loss of their long-time Senator, the late Prince Y. Johnson, aliased PYJ, who was fondly considered as the county’s political godfather and kingsmaker.

Monrovia-Nimba County is still reeling from the surprising loss of their long-time Senator, the late Prince Y. Johnson, aliased PYJ, who was fondly considered as the county’s political godfather and kingsmaker. As the political dust is settling, attention is being turned to the leadership conundrum – who steps in the late Senator’s shoes – that is in the offing.

The late Senator who was in his third term having first been elected in 2005 died last year and was laid to rest after a week-long befitting funeral ceremonies that began from Monrovia where he was lied-in-state at the Capitol Building followed by a night of wake-keeping at his church in Duport Road, and then taken to his home Nimba County, where his remains were taken to some of the bustling towns and cities.

His remarkable funeral, held on January 18, 2025, drew thousands of Nimbaians, citizens from neighboring counties as well as national and international dignitaries.

Though a celebrated personality in some respect, his life was said to be characterized by inextricabilities, yet his contributions to the Nimbaand its people were said to be resoundingly awesome.

Time without numbers, it was proven that the late Senator was listened to, followed and revered apparently as a payback for the sacrifices made directly and indirectly. His winning of three different but consecutive elections ahead of some of the county’s brilliant sons and daughters, it is noted, signified the depth of respect and honor he commanded.

PYJ, according to records, came to national limelight during the course of the civil war when he broke away from the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) due to disagreement with Charles Taylor, head of the NPFL, and formed the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL) that eventually captured Caldwell and few parts of central Monrovia.

The INPFL’s capture of then President Samuel Kanyon Doe on September 9, 1990 at the Free-port of Monrovia elevated Johnson’s profile as a brave and brilliant military genius and increased his popularity and affection amongst the people of Nimba, who reportedly suffered brutal repression during the Doe’s regime.

He was also instrumented in welcoming and landing the first batch of peacekeeping force sent from West African Countries under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on August 24, 1990.

Before his death, he resisted claims of wrongdoings during the war that got him listed by the Liberia Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) as one of several former warlords that “bear the highest of war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

He said his involvement in the war was in defense of the people of Nimba who he claimed were being slaughtered “like goats” by the late President Doe.

During his time, he helped make three presidents including Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, George MannehWeah and now Joseph Boakai, thus gaining the kingmaker appellation.

Now that PYJ is no more, the looming question centers around who will possibly replace him or step in his shoes as political godfather and kingsmaker, considering the fact that Nimba stands as one of the two votes-rich counties in the country.

There are reports the race appears to be among three sons of the county, all of whom are said to be commanding the respect and admiration of the people of Nimba. They include Vice President Jeremiah Kpan- Koung, Representatives Musa Hassan Bility of Nimba 7th District and Samuel Kogar of Nimba 5th District, and former Representative Roger Domah.

VeepKoung may be seen as the closest to the throne by virtue of his position and as someone who the late Senator Johnson politically indoctrinated. But many also believe thinking so might just not be the case in reality because he does not posses the deceased qualities.

“PYJ was not a politician or did not possess political qualities, but so also were the traditional qualities that made him exceptional among the people of Nimba,” a citizen of the county who begged not be named told this paper in Ganta over the weekend.

During the late Senator’s funeral in Ganta, VeepKoung’s commanding tribute brightened many minds about his readiness to do just like his late political father.  He made many to believe that being humble is not being weak because the late PYJ was not a weakling.

Not much is being seen or heard from him since his political godfather was laid to rest, but he is not written off when it comes to succeeding the one through whose instrumentality he became Vice President today.

Representative Musa Hassan Bililty may be new on the Nimba political scene, he is not an incognito character. According to reports from the county, he has made his name far before running for office in last year’s elections.

The 7th District lawmaker appears to be strongly mulling the possibility of playing critical role in the political void created by the passing of PYJ.

In the past two days, he came public relative to his plans for Nimba politics.

“Based on popular demand from the people of Nimba County, I have postponed my schedule statement on Nimba Politics,” Rep. Bility wrote on his Facebook page, and further stated consultation is required, and would will speak to the Nation on next week.

“Now that we have laid our Godfather to rest, I will turn my attention to politics in Nimba on Monday, January 27, at 2 PM. I will address my views on his replacement, the political landscape in Nimba moving forward, and my stance on the issue of the “Next Godfather” of Nimba,” he said.

Another possible replacement of PYJ as Nimba political godfather is Representative Samuel Kogar, someone who has had a ups and down relationship with the late Senator, though they later got along.

He did not make it to the Senate to replace former Senator and now Vice President Koung despite the late Senator’s support of him. It was the first time the people of Nimba turned against PYJ in any election since 2005 by not putting their weight behind his choice in Rep. Kogar during the bye-election won by NyanTwahnyen, reportedly supported by VeepKoung.

Despite his failure at the polls, Kogar is said to be one of the commanding political and traditional voices in Nimba. He proved his traditional usefulness to the county during the funeral of the late Senator when he led group of feared traditional warriors performing rituals and libations over his (PYJ) remains.

While he is not a complete replica of PYJ.Kogar seems to possess some qualities unique to the deceased political guru of Nimba. Besides having fine political linings, his traditional connection to the county might count a lot.

Amid the pending bye-election in Nimba to fill the vacant seat of the late Senator, Kogar, if he contests, might pose sufficient threats to other would-be candidates. Many said his participation in the past senatorial elections as well as his active involvement, demonstrating his traditional prowess, in ceremonies marking the home-going of the late political godfather seems to set him apart.

Another person said to have possessed the pedigrees required to fill PYJ’s void is Roger SWY Domah, former 7th district lawmaker of the county.

Regarded for a persistent commitment and tireless work ethic, the former lawmaker spent six years (2017-2023) representing Nimba County Electoral District#7, advocating for policies that improved education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

During his time as Representative, it is reported, that schools were built, clinics were established, and roads that had long been neglected were finally paved.

His people see him beyond the glance of politics but also as a beacon of hope and a change maker.

Politics being blind sometimes, Domah was not reelected in 2003 despite his enormous contributions to his district while serving as their lawmaker, but his love and contributions to the district have never diminished.

According to reports, he continues to live up to the expectations of the people and fulfill commitments he made prior to the 2023 elections.

There are reports that he is not ruling out the possibility of throwing his hat in the race for the pending bye-elections to replace the late Senator Johnson.

But what happens beyond the election, in terms of who becomes the voice of Nimba during future presidential elections and other burning issues, is where the ghost of PYJ is lurking. Whether it is Veep Kong, whether it is Rep. Bility and whether it is Rep. Kogar, Nimba is in search of another political hero that will step in the shoes of their most celebrated late Senator Johnson.

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.