Nimba County –Division is deepening among chiefs and elders in Nimba County after Chiefs of Zoe Chiefdom publicly endorsed Senator Samuel as the county’s next Self-Proclaimed ‘‘god father’’, a position left vacant after the death of Senator Prince Yormie Johnson.
By Franklin Doloquee / Nimba County
The Zoe Chiefdom Chiefs announced on Tuesday, July 28, following Senator Kogar’s visit to the chiefdom, where he met residents and heard concerns about local issues.
Several radio callers questioned the chiefs’ decision, saying the selection process for the county’s votes‑rich ‘‘godfather’’ position remains unclear.
During his visit to Gbi‑Doru, Senator Kogar said the reception he received his first as a sitting senator in that community was historic since the county’s founding.
The visit coincided with countywide Independence Day Celebrations during which some chiefs and elders accused fellow traditional leaders of engaging in partisan politics and aligning with the ruling Unity Party(UP). That accusation intensified divisions among chiefs and elders across Nimba’s 19 administrative districts.
FrontPageAfrica learnt that respected chiefs and elders are split, with some backing Vice President Jeremiah Koung and others supporting Senator Kogar of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), the late Senator Johnson’s party.
As the internal contest over control of the MDR continues between Vice President Koung and Senator Kogar, Zoe Chiefs crowned Senator Kogar as the county’s next self‑proclaimed ‘‘godfather’’.
The dispute has touched other county leadership issues as well.
Chiefs remain divided over the head chiefship after Chief Robert Sennah was removed from the position, with disagreements reportedly aligning along political lines.
Over the weekend, large crowds of chiefs, elders and residents in Gbei‑Doru (District 9) welcomed Senator Kogar during his independence day tour across the county.
The Zoe Chiefs announced their support for his planned actions in the county.
Amid the tensions, Nimba County District 5 Representative, Kortor Sehwongbay Kwagrue, urged calm.
Speaking on Thursday, July 30, Rep. Kwagrue appealed for peace and called on Nimbaians to resolve the leadership dispute without personal attacks or further division.
He said neither Vice President Koung nor other members of the county legislative caucus are seeking the godfather title and described the position as symbolic, without salary or official benefits.
Rep. Kwagrue responded to reports that Senator Kogar had called him disrespectful.
He denied intending any offense and apologized to anyone who felt insulted.
“I’m not disrespectful,” he stated.
“When people come into leadership, the tone they use affects how others perceive their respect. If anyone feels offended, I apologize; that was not my intention.”
Rep. Kwagrue warned against turning local politics into a contest for a “godfather” label.
He said the title carries no tangible benefits and that focusing on it harms the community.
“Once one person decides they want to be the godfather, they take the position,” he said. “But the way the godfather issue is going, it will continue to hurt Nimba. It will become a vacuum for nothing just a title with no benefit.”
He criticized the use of public platforms to denigrate opponents for personal gain and urged political leaders to avoid escalating tensions, stressing that the vice president’s role is larger than any local feud.
“We should keep Nimba peaceful,” he said. “Do not make it about who will be the godfather. We need to respect one another and focus on the community’s welfare.” Rep. Kwagrue pointed out.
Meanwhile, Senator Kogar says he will continue supporting the late Senator Johnson’s party.
Senator Kogar assured Nimbaians that he will remain a member and supporter of the MDR even if he is not an executive member, stressing that he regularly pays his party dues on a monthly basis.
He emphasized that he is not seeking any position in the party, instead he wants to ensure the right thing is done for the movement.
On the County Legislative Caucus, Senator Kogar expressed disappointment, calling the current arrangement a “disrespect” to the senators.
He said it is inappropriate that the County’s Legislative Caucus appears to be led by the lone member of the House of Representatives while the two senators have no formal leadership role.
According to Senator Kogar, all nine representatives appear to act as chairmen, with the senators sidelined.
“This is a disrespect to us,” he intoned.
“We are not against any representative, but County Caucus history shows this is not how things have been done,” he added.
CDC Executive Committee Rejects Boycott Claims
