GBARNGA – The political atmosphere in Bong County is steadily evolving into a high-stakes arena marked by deepening rivalries, shifting alliances, and an early scramble for dominance ahead of the 2029 elections, with the latest developments involving District Two Representative James Kolleh, former District Five Representative Edward Karfiah, and incumbent Senator Prince Moye serving as a defining flashpoint.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
Rep. Kolleh’s open endorsement of Karfiah is not merely a routine political gesture, but rather a calculated move that signals a growing fracture within the county’s political establishment, particularly as it directly challenges Senator Moye’s anticipated re-election bid.
The situation has been further intensified by a leaked audio in which Rep. Kolleh reportedly declared that he would not support Senator Moye under any circumstance, even invoking a striking remark that “even if Moye had gotten the endorsement of Jesus Christ, he would not support him for re-election.”
Such rhetoric underscores not only the depth of Rep. Kolleh’s opposition, but also the increasingly personal nature of political alignments in Bong County, where loyalty, past alliances, and perceived betrayals are playing a critical role in shaping the emerging contest.
At the center of this unfolding drama is the longstanding relationship between Rep. Kolleh and ex-lawmaker Karfiah, a political alliance forged during the 2021 by-election that followed Senator Moye’s elevation to the Senate after his 2020 victory.
During that period, ex-lawmaker Karfiah’s support proved instrumental in mobilizing grassroots backing for Rep. Kolleh, helping him secure victory in a competitive race and cementing a bond that continues to influence present-day political decisions.
This history of mutual support now appears to be driving Rep. Kolleh’s current stance, reinforcing the notion that political debts in Bong County are rarely forgotten and often repaid in decisive moments.
However, this loyalty also places Rep. Kolleh on a potentially dangerous political path, as it pits him directly against Senator Moye, a figure whose influence in District Two and across the county remains formidable.
Senator Moye’s track record, including his overwhelming victories as District Two representative from 2011 to 2017, has entrenched him as a dominant political force, with a loyal base that could prove difficult to overcome.
The risks associated with Rep. Kolleh’s position are compounded by the likelihood that Senator Moye will adopt a far more assertive approach in the 2029 elections than he has in the past.
Unlike during the election that brought Rep. Kolleh to power, when Senator Moye refrained from endorsing any candidate despite having close allies such as Joshua Better and Edward Gboe in the race, the senator has now signalled a willingness to actively shape electoral outcomes.
His recent remarks on Radio Gbarnga suggest that while he respects Rep. Kolleh’s right to support ex-lawmaker Karfiah, he will no longer remain neutral, particularly in District Two, where his backing of a candidate could significantly alter the balance of power.
This shift in strategy introduces a new dynamic into the political equation, raising the stakes for Rep. Kolleh and any other figures aligned against Senator Moye, as they may soon find themselves confronting not just a rival candidate, but the full weight of Senator Moye’s political machinery.
Beyond the immediate rivalry between Rep. Kolleh and Senator Moye, the political environment in Bong County is becoming increasingly fragmented, with multiple actors aligning themselves along competing lines.
Several incumbent representatives, including Moima Briggs-Mensah, Robert Womba, and Prince Koinah, have already thrown their support behind Senator Moye, reinforcing his position as a central figure around whom a significant bloc is coalescing.
At the same time, the shifting allegiance of figures such as District Five Representative Eugine Kolleh, who reportedly transitioned from supporting Karfiah in 2023 to backing Senator Moye, highlights the fluid and often unpredictable nature of political loyalties in the county.
Meanwhile, other lawmakers like Foday Fahnbulleh are focusing on their own political survival, while Marvin Cole remains at a crossroads, weighing the possibility of a senatorial bid against seeking another term in the House of Representatives.
Re. Cole’s recent reconciliation with Senator Moye further complicates the picture, as it suggests the potential for additional realignments that could tilt the balance in favor of the incumbent senator.
Equally significant is the role of Senator Johnny Kpehe, whose unexpected victory over Karfiah in the 2023 election reshaped Bong County’s political hierarchy and introduced a new power broker into the equation.
Senator Kpehe’s rise, marked by his entry into the race just nine months before the election and his subsequent accumulation of over 76,000 votes compared to Karfiah’s 56,000, demonstrated the volatility of the electorate and the possibility for outsiders to disrupt established political calculations.
His perceived alignment with Senator Moye, reportedly influenced by the senator’s “silent” support during the 2023 race, further strengthens Senator Moye’s camp and adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding contest.
For Karfiah, this presents a dual challenge: not only must he rebuild his political base after a significant defeat, but he must also contend with a coalition of influential figures who may be united in opposition to his ambitions.
Karfiah’s path to a political comeback is further complicated by internal fractures within his own camp, as several key allies who once contributed to his electoral strength have reportedly distanced themselves.
The departure of figures such as Tokpah J. Mulbah, Menikpakeh Dumoe, Jonah Tokpah, and Henry Yallah signals a weakening of the network that helped him secure tens of thousands of votes in 2023. These defections, reportedly driven by disputes over loyalty and recognition, highlight the fragile nature of political coalitions in Bong County, where alliances can quickly unravel in the absence of mutual trust and clear strategic direction.
Taken together, these developments point to a political environment defined by uncertainty, competition, and high stakes, where the outcome of the 2029 elections will likely be shaped as much by alliances and personal dynamics as by policy and performance.
Rep. Kolleh’s endorsement of Karfiah, Senator Moye’s anticipated counter-strategy, the alignment of key actors, and the lingering of past all contribute to a complex and evolving narrative that defies simple predictions.
What is clear, however, is that Bong County is on the brink of one of its most consequential electoral contests in recent history, with the potential to redefine its political landscape for years to come.
