Gbarnga, Liberia — Two decades ago, Marvin Cole was largely unknown to the public. A quiet, humble figure, he earned a living by running errands for then-Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor of Bong County.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
At that time, Cole was the behind-the-scenes worker who was trusted with small tasks. Little did anyone know, the once-obscure man would rise to become one of the most talked-about figures in Liberian politics.
Cole’s entry into the political spotlight came in the early 2000s, when Howard-Taylor, recognizing his potential, brought him into her inner circle. Over time, he was entrusted with greater responsibility, including representing her at political events she couldn’t attend.
In 2007, his influence grew when Howard-Taylor, through former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s administration, appointed him to oversee the Madam Suakoko Scholarship Scheme, a program that helped young people from Bong County attend Cuttington University in Suakoko.
This role made Cole an indispensable figure for aspiring students in the region. However, as his power grew, so did the scrutiny. Allegations surfaced that young girls were coerced into offering sexual favors in exchange for scholarships. Others accused Cole of commercializing the program for personal gain. While Cole denied these accusations, labeling them as part of a smear campaign, the damage to his reputation was already done.
Nevertheless, his political rise continued.
In 2016, with Howard-Taylor’s backing, former President Sirleaf nominated him as the City Mayor of Gbarnga. Cole’s term as mayor began with a focus on modernizing the city’s infrastructure. He worked to clean up the drainage system and demolish unauthorized structures, all aimed at transforming Gbarnga into a more modern city.
But just six months into his term, Cole was dismissed by Sirleaf. The announcement was made publicly via Facebook before it was confirmed by the Executive Mansion, sparking speculation that political forces, particularly from Bong County lawmakers like Prince Moye and George Mulbah, had played a role in his removal.
Despite this setback, Cole’s political ambitions remained unshaken.
Supporters in Gbarnga, especially in District Three, urged him to run for the district’s representative seat, which he did in 2017.
Backed by Howard-Taylor, Cole defeated Mulbah, who was seeking a third term. His victory made him the only lawmaker from the National Patriotic Party (NPP) in Bong County and further solidified his standing within the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), a conglomeration of political parties that had supported George Weah’s presidential campaign.
Cole’s influence expanded beyond Bong County. He became instrumental in recommending key figures for government positions, including Dr. Mogana Flomo as Agriculture Minister. His connections in the CDC grew stronger, further solidifying his role in national politics.
However, as his influence grew, so did the controversies surrounding him.
A major scandal erupted in 2023 when Cole was accused of diverting US$40,000 allocated for the construction of a clinic in his hometown of Gbondoi. Despite the funds being earmarked in the national budget for three years, Cole allegedly redirected the money for other purposes. While the government defended him, assuring that the clinic would eventually be built, the accusations stuck, further tarnishing his public image.
Then, an even more controversial incident unfolded. Cole ordered his security to physically confront a neighbor — a pastor — over a property dispute. The incident sparked outrage, with Cole justifying the violence by citing biblical references. As a result, Cole’s image as a leader was further damaged.
Today, Cole stands at a crossroads in his political career. His influence, once a force to be reckoned with, has sharply declined since the change in government.
He is currently serving a three-month suspension from the House of Representatives for disorderly conduct, which has had a direct impact on his ability to serve his constituents.
Cole, who once spent nearly one million Liberian dollars a week in his district during the CDC administration, has been unable to contribute a single dollar to his district since his suspension in November 2024. The contrast is stark: when a violent storm recently displaced residents in his district, Cole was unable to offer any aid, a far cry from his earlier years of active involvement.
Matters worsened last week when residents of Gbarmu Town, in District Three, confronted Cole at a public event. They accused him of diverting funds meant for social development in their community.
These claims stem from a 2011 agreement with Hurine Mining Company, which Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris recently presented as evidence of Cole’s mismanagement. The situation escalated when residents staged protests against Hurine Mining Company, accusing the company of failing to fulfill promises made under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2011. The protests culminated in demonstrators setting fire to a bridge connecting Gbarmu to the mining site, cutting off access to vehicles.
Tensions reached a boiling point when several protestors were detained by the Liberia National Police. A day-long dialogue, involving Cole, Norris, and law enforcement officials, took place to address the growing conflict.
Once hailed as a rising star in Bong County politics, Cole now finds himself at the center of a series of allegations and controversies that have diminished his political standing.
As he faces a pivotal moment in his career, it remains to be seen whether he can recover from the setbacks or if his political legacy will be defined by scandal and failure.
