AS NIMBAIANS GO to the polls on Tuesday, April 22, the atmosphere in the county is tense, not because of healthy political debate, but because of something far more dangerous: tribal politics.
THE RECENT REMARKS by Vice President Jeremiah Koung, suggesting that Nimba’s two senatorial seats should be split between the Gio and Mano tribes in the name of “balance,” have stirred up deep concerns.
INSTEAD OF PROMOTING unity, these words risk turning the upcoming by-election into a contest of “who belongs where” rather than who can lead best.
IT’S EVEN MORE troubling to hear the Superintendent of Nimba County, Madam Kou Miapeh Gono, declare publicly that tribe should come before gender, implying that voters should support Rep. Samuel Kogar, a Gio man, over Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh, a Mano woman, not because of their ideas or qualifications, but purely based on where they come from.
LET’S BE CLEAR: This is not the Nimba we want. This Is Not the Liberia we fought to rebuild. Nimba Is Rich with diversity, talent, and pride. Our People have survived war, political manipulation, and marginalization.
NIMBA HAS RAISED Sons and daughters who have gone on to do great things, regardless of their tribe.
TO REDUCE LEADERSHIP to Gio vs. Mano, or to say that a woman’s voice doesn’t matter because of her tribe or gender, is a step backward.
LET US ASK OURSELVES: What Kind Of message are we sending to our children? That It Doesn’t matter what you stand for, as long as your name sounds right? That Truth, Service, and integrity take a backseat to tribal loyalty?
THIS ELECTION ISN’T just about filling the seat left behind by Senator Prince Y. Johnson’s passing. It’s A Moment for the people of Nimba to say clearly: We Will Not be divided.
NIMBAIANS MUST NOT be boxed into tribes. They must Vote for who they believe is best for their county. Yes, It’s Okay to be proud of our roots. But Pride Becomes poison when it blinds us to reason.
NIMBAIANS MUST LOOK at track records, leadership, and commitment to public service. Whether It’s Gongloe-Weh, Kogar, or any other candidate, the question should be: Who Will Represent Nimba with integrity and vision?
NIMBA IS WATCHING. Liberia is watching. And history is taking notes.
THAT’S WHY WE, at FrontpageAfrica call on the Electorates of Nimba to show the nation that Nimba is bigger than tribe. Nimba is a county of thinkers, builders, and doers.
AS NIMBAIANS GO to the polls today, we call on them to vote for ideas, vote for unity and vote for the future. Because in the end, a tribe may tell us where we come from, but it should never decide where we’re going.
