Saclepea, Nimba County – The official launch of the Citizen Movement for Change (CMC) in Saclepea on Saturday, March 1, marked the beginning of a new political chapter in Nimba County, with District 7 lawmaker Musa Bility sworn in as the party’s political leader.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
In his inaugural address, Bility introduced the CMC as a “movement for real transformation,” aiming to break the mold of traditional politics.
His message was clear: true change, according to Bility, cannot be imposed from the top down. It must come from the people, driven by grassroots activism and a collective demand for national unity and equitable development. “True change cannot come from the top unless the people themselves demand it and drive it forward,” he declared.
This statement signals a bold challenge to the status quo and sets the tone for the political battles ahead.
For Bility, the movement’s goal is to build a more inclusive Liberia, where all citizens, regardless of political or social background, can thrive.
The emergence of the CMC has shaken Nimba County’s political foundation. For the past 20 years, the county has been firmly under the control of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) – before it the National Union for Democratic Progress (NUDP), founded by the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson.
The MDR’s hold on the region has been unchallenged, with its influence embedded in the county’s social and political structures. However, the rise of the CMC threatens this long-standing dominance, with the potential to alter Nimba’s political trajectory.
But the MDR is not taking this challenge lightly. Samuel Kogar, the MDR’s candidate for the upcoming Nimba senatorial by-election, is already preparing to fight for the seat once held by his late uncle, Prince Y. Johnson.
Kogar, a third-term representative and political heir to the MDR, is determined to maintain the party’s grip on the county. “We will campaign everywhere in this county to ensure our victory,” Kogar said, reaffirming his commitment to keeping Nimba under the control of the MDR.
Kogar’s strategy is rooted in his ability to represent the diverse tribal groups within Nimba. “We are not a candidate of one tribe,” Kogar emphasized, highlighting his fluency in the region’s various languages and his appeal to a broad electorate.
As the April 22 by-election approaches, the political battle in Nimba County is intensifying. The election is not just about filling a vacant seat; it represents a deeper struggle for political control in one of Liberia’s most important counties.
Bility’s CMC has already made its mark by positioning itself as a serious challenger to the MDR, and the race for the senatorial seat will test the movement’s strength and influence in the region.
Musa Bility’s rise in Nimba is seen as not just a personal ambition — it is part of a political strategy aimed at reshaping the county’s future. Nimba has historically played a decisive role in national elections, producing three vice presidents and being a key player in the race for the presidency.
With Vice President Jeremiah Koung, a former ally of the late Prince Johnson, seen as a candidate for the 2029 presidential race, Bility’s strategy appears to be aimed at fragmenting Nimba’s vote.
By creating the CMC, Bility is positioning himself as a potential kingmaker, with the ability to dilute Koung’s base of support.
His challenge to the MDR, combined with Tiawan Gongloe, a former presidential candidate in the 2023 election, may be causing a realignment in Nimba’s political scene.
Gongloe’s previously neutral stance during the 2023 elections now appears to be more influenced by family ties than a commitment to a consistent political ideology, further complicating the political landscape.
With the CMC gaining traction, and other figures like Kogar and Gongloe maneuvering for power, the next few months could determine the direction Nimba — and Liberia — will take in the years to come.
