Although Senator Moye has not declared his intention to seek re-election in 2029, many residents and political observers say all indications strongly point toward another bid for the Senate. Should he contest and win re-election, Senator Moye would officially become the longest-serving elected lawmaker in Bong County’s history
GBARNGA, Bong County — As Bong County Senator Prince Moye continues his county-wide development and citizens’ engagement tour across the county, political observers say the lawmaker is steadily positioning himself to become the longest-serving elected lawmaker in the political history of Bong County.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
From the busy communities of Jorquelleh District Three to remote villages across the county, Senator Moye’s engagements with ordinary citizens are increasingly taking the shape of more than routine political consultations.
Beneath the town hall meetings, development pledges, road rehabilitation promises, and infrastructure initiatives lies what many residents and analysts believe is the foundation of an early political consolidation strategy ahead of the 2029 senatorial elections.
Unlike many politicians who only reconnect with their constituencies during election seasons, Senator Moye has maintained constant visibility across Bong County.
His ongoing development tour has seen him directly interacting with market women, youth groups, elders, local leaders, teachers, and community residents, while listening to concerns ranging from roads and healthcare to education and electrification.
During his latest engagements in Gbelakpallah, Gbarney, Wombay, Wainsue, and Geita in Jorquelleh District Three, residents used several town hall meetings to present longstanding development challenges affecting their communities. In response, Senator Moye reaffirmed his commitment to grassroots development and pledged continued support toward projects intended to improve the living conditions of ordinary citizens.
In Gbelakpallah, the senator committed himself to the rehabilitation of the road connecting the town to the main Lofa Road. He also donated sporting materials, including jerseys and footballs for youth teams, distributed lappers to women, and provided financial assistance to residents.
In Gbarney, Senator Moye assured residents that government-procured yellow machines would soon be deployed to rehabilitate roads leading to the town. He further disclosed that funding had already been captured within the proposed county budget for the completion of the town’s modern hall, while also donating 20 solar lights to support electrification efforts.
In Wombay, the senator pledged support for feeder road rehabilitation and donated 50 bags of cement, five bundles of zinc, 50 plastic chairs, jerseys for sporting teams, transportation assistance, and additional support to women groups.
One of the major highlights of the tour occurred in Wainsue, where Senator Moye officially broke grounds for the construction of a modern US$25,000 guest house project.
He informed residents that contractors had already been engaged to commence the initiative, which many residents described as a major boost to the town’s development agenda.
Senator Moye also promised support for the renovation of a school recently damaged by a violent rainstorm and pledged financial assistance for volunteer teachers while promising to advocate for their concerns before the Senate Committee on Education.
In Geita, the senator pledged support for the construction of a teachers’ quarter and donated construction materials, sporting items, and women empowerment materials.
Across every town visited, residents repeatedly praised Senator Moye for maintaining direct engagement with communities and consistently responding to their needs through tangible development interventions.
Political analysts observing the senator’s movements believe the tour represents more than ordinary constituency outreach. Many believe Senator Moye is strategically strengthening his grassroots structures and reconnecting with communities ahead of what could become the defining election of his political career in 2029.
Although Senator Moye has not declared his intention to seek re-election in 2029, many residents and political observers say all indications strongly point toward another bid for the Senate. Should he contest and win re-election, Senator Moye would officially become the longest-serving elected lawmaker in Bong County’s history.
Before becoming senator in 2020, Senator Moye served as Representative of Electoral District Two for nine years. Combined with a possible 18-year stay in the Senate if re-elected in 2029, Senator Moye’s total legislative service would rise to an unprecedented 27 years. Such a feat would eclipse every other elected lawmaker from Bong County since Liberia’s democratic transition.
The closest any Bong politician has come to such political longevity was former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, who won consecutive senatorial elections in 2005 and 2014. However, Howard-Taylor did not complete her second term after she was selected as running mate to former President George Weah on the ticket of the Coalition for Democratic Change. Their victory in the 2017 presidential election elevated her to the vice presidency, ending her senatorial tenure before completion.
According to assessments gathered during his current county tour, there is little evidence suggesting that voters fatigue is emerging as a major threat against him. Instead, many residents appear increasingly convinced that his continued visibility, accessibility, and development initiatives justify extending his mandate beyond 2029
Howard-Taylor’s political rise in Bong County was deeply connected to the enduring influence of her former husband, former Liberian President Charles Taylor.
During the country’s brutal civil conflict, Taylor established Gbarnga as the headquarters of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia, making Bong County one of the central territories associated with his rebel movement. Decades later, portions of the county still maintain emotional and political attachment to him despite his conviction for war crimes.
In 2012, Charles Taylor was convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone for aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Sierra Leone’s civil war. He was sentenced to 50 years imprisonment and remains incarcerated in the United Kingdom. Despite the conviction, many residents in Bong County have continued expressing nostalgia for his era, with some openly admitting they would still support him politically if circumstances permitted.
That political connection significantly benefited Howard-Taylor during her senatorial campaigns. During the fiercely contested 2014 senatorial election against former Cuttington University President Dr. Henrique Tokpa, Howard-Taylor reportedly deployed recordings aired on Radio Gbarnga in which a voice believed by supporters to be Charles Taylor appealed to Bong residents to support her candidacy.
In communities where voter resistance against Howard-Taylor initially appeared strong, the recordings reportedly softened opposition and revived sympathy support. Nevertheless, she narrowly survived the election, defeating Tokpa by slightly more than 100 votes in one of Bong County’s closest electoral contests.
At the time, one of the major political obstacles confronting Howard-Taylor was what many described as “voter fatigue.” Across Bong County, numerous residents argued that no individual should continuously occupy the same political seat for nearly two decades.
Many voters openly stated that they desired political change regardless of performance, insisting that leadership rotation was necessary for democratic balance. That anti-incumbency sentiment significantly weakened Howard-Taylor’s dominance and nearly cost her re-election.
However, political observers say the situation surrounding Senator Moye appears fundamentally different.
According to assessments gathered during his current county tour, there is little evidence suggesting that voters fatigue is emerging as a major threat against him. Instead, many residents appear increasingly convinced that his continued visibility, accessibility, and development initiatives justify extending his mandate beyond 2029.
Unlike Howard-Taylor, whose strength heavily relied on emotional and historical loyalty connected to Charles Taylor, Senator Moye’s political appeal appears rooted in development performance and grassroots engagement.
Over the years, residents say Senator Moye has consistently invested in roads, schools, guest houses, electrification projects, youth activities, women empowerment initiatives, and educational support programs across Bong County.
Political analysts argue that what “Taylor” represented for Howard-Taylor politically may now be represented by development for Moye. FrontPage Africa, which has accompanied Senator Moye during portions of his county tour, observed repeated declarations of support from residents across multiple districts.
In many communities, residents openly encouraged the senator to seek another term, arguing that his leadership style differs from many previous lawmakers.
A resident of Sanoyea District remarked: “Senator Moye is not the type of politician who disappears after elections. Every year, he comes back to the people. He listens to us, he helps our towns, and he follows up on promises. If he wants another nine years, we are ready to support him because we are seeing development with our own eyes.”
Another resident from District Four stated: “People usually become tired of politicians when they stop connecting with ordinary citizens. But Senator Moye is still among the people. He attends our meetings, supports our schools, helps our youth groups, and responds when communities call on him. That is why many of us are saying he deserves another term.”
Meanwhile, a youth leader from District Three declared: “This is the first time many towns in this district are seeing this level of direct engagement from a senator. The roads, guest houses, school support, solar lights, and assistance to volunteer teachers show seriousness. The support for Moye in 2029 will be very strong because the people believe he has not abandoned them.”
One of Senator Moye’s greatest political strengths, according to observers, remains his extraordinary grassroots mobilization network. Even after six years in the Senate, his support structures across Bong County appear remarkably intact and, in some areas, even stronger than before.
In Bong County politics, controlling at least three major districts is widely viewed as essential to securing county-wide electoral victory. Analysts say Senator Moye currently enjoys major influence in District Two, Kokoyah District, and Sanoyea District, giving him a potentially formidable advantage heading into 2029.
A resident of District Two explained: “District Two is Senator Moye’s home, but people are not supporting him only because he comes from here. They are supporting him because they have seen roads improved, schools assisted, and communities empowered. We are fully behind him for another term.”
Another resident from District Two added: “Many politicians remember citizens only during campaign season. Senator Moye has remained connected to the grassroots. We are proud of his leadership and will stand with him again.”
In Kokoyah District, residents echoed similar sentiments. “Senator Moye has built trust among ordinary citizens. That trust is difficult to break. Even people who were once against him are now supporting him because they see results,” one resident stated.
Another added: “His leadership style is calm, respectful, and development-oriented. That is why his popularity continues growing instead of declining.”
In Sanoyea District, support also appeared strong. “Senator Moye understands the grassroots. He doesn’t isolate himself from the people. That is why many communities still feel connected to him,” a resident noted.
Another resident declared: “The support base he has built across Bong County is real. Many people already see him as the favourite going into 2029.”
Potentially standing in Senator Moye’s path is former Bong County District Five Representative Edward Karfiah, another experienced politician with deep roots in Bong politics.
Karfiah served two consecutive terms as representative after winning elections in 2005 and 2011. Following his decision not to seek a third term in District Five, he contested the 2023 senatorial election and began county-wide outreach as early as 2021.
As the road to 2029 gradually begins taking shape, one reality appears increasingly clear across Bong County’s political landscape: Senator Moye is not merely preparing for another election. He may be positioning himself to enter Bong County’s political history books in a way no elected lawmaker ever has before
Initially, many observers believed Karfiah was strongly positioned to capture the Senate seat. However, the political landscape dramatically shifted when businessman Johnny Kpehe entered the race as an independent candidate less than a year before the election. Kpehe eventually defeated Karfiah decisively, securing more than 78,000 votes, the highest vote total ever recorded in Bong County senatorial history, while Karfiah managed approximately 57,000 votes.
One of the most damaging aspects of Karfiah’s defeat was his inability to dominate his traditional political stronghold of District Five. Suakoko District, which had reportedly resisted his candidacies throughout his years as representative, once again voted overwhelmingly against him during the senatorial election.
Political observers now describe that pattern as the “Suakoko Curse,” warning that unresolved tensions within the district could continue haunting Karfiah heading into 2029.
Discussions Saturday on Kwatekeh Radio, a local station in Bong County, revealed significant dissatisfaction among some residents regarding Karfiah’s 12-year legislative performance. Several callers from Suakoko rated his tenure poorly and expressed unwillingness to support another senatorial bid.
Observers also point to growing fractures within Karfiah’s former political alliance. Several influential figures once associated with his political movement have reportedly distanced themselves from him. Former Bong County Senator Henry Yallah, once considered one of Karfiah’s closest allies, is said to have broken ranks. Former District One Representative Tokpah Mulbah is also reportedly no longer politically aligned with him.
Additionally, former District Four representative aspirant Jonah Tokpah, who reportedly played a significant role in helping Karfiah secure votes in Gbarnga Siaquelleh during the 2023 election, has now aligned himself with Senator Moye.
Speaking on his decision, Tokpah stated: “Politics is about relationships, reconciliation, and respect for people. Senator Moye has demonstrated the ability to unite people regardless of past political
differences. That is one of the major reasons many of us are supporting him.”
He continued: “Leadership is not only about ambition. It is about how you treat people when elections are over. Senator Moye continues engaging communities and bringing people together. That leadership approach is different and it resonates with many citizens across Bong County.”
As the road to 2029 gradually begins taking shape, one reality appears increasingly clear across Bong County’s political landscape: Senator Moye is not merely preparing for another election. He may be positioning himself to enter Bong County’s political history books in a way no elected lawmaker ever has before.
