The campaign for the Nimba County District Five By-Election is intensifying as the election day approaches on August 12, 2025. Following the final vetting by the National Election Commission (NEC), 10 candidates were confirmed to contest the election out of the initial 11 candidates.
The official campaign process began on July 20, 2025, and it is expected to climax at least two days before the election.
Mr. Bories Barlaa, one of the leading candidates, is garnering significant endorsements, particularly from traditional leaders, due to what many believe is his road rehabilitation initiatives in over 53 towns and villages within the district.
Endorsements from various groups, praising his efforts in road rehabilitation, have increased his popularity among citizens.
Late last week, some supporters from the camp of Samson Z. Wonnah, the only candidate denied by the NEC, endorsed Barlea’s candidacy. This was followed by a group from Nyor Bluntuo who pledged their support due to his [Barlea] efforts to rehabilitate the stretch of road linking the town to Nyor Gomaplay(home of Sen. Kogar and late Sen. Johnson).
The citizens expressed happiness, disclosing that the Bluntuo – Gomaplay road corridor was last rehabilitated in 1972 and 1982, respectively.
Several neglected communities, including those along the border with Ivory Coast, have expressed support for Barlea’s candidacy, emphasizing the need for improved road connectivity after years of neglect.
These communities include Tanwea, karfeeglay, Teahplay Zailay, home of the late Gen. Samuel Vannie. These communities have been without good roads for over four decades.
Describing him as ‘Moses’, they said, ‘You are surely Moses, who has come to set us free from bad road frustrations we have been experiencing for decades.”
This by-election marks Barlea’s third attempt at securing the representative seat in the district, with previous losses to Kogar in 2011 and 2017. Barlea has since focused on agricultural ventures, making notable contributions to the community.
Other strong candidates, such as Cole Williams and Kortor Kwagrue, have also gained attention for their respective initiatives in agriculture and youth advocacy. Augustus Menkoah and Jackson Yuo are also prominent contenders, each bringing unique attributes to the race.
Kwagrue is an energetic young man who has a strong support among the young people o the district. He emerged second place in the 2023 election race and is also said to be one of the potential candidates in the race.
Menkoah is also a popular candidate, especially among members of the United Liberia Inland Church. With strong business knowledge and experience, he is fighting hard to make the difference this time.
The late Senator Johnson’s townmate, Jackson Yuo, is one of the very few candidates testing politics for the first time, probably to replace his cousin Samuel Kogar. He is the only elderly man in the race, but little is known of him in the district.
Despite differing campaign strategies, all candidates have signed a memorandum of understanding to ensure a peaceful election process, although tensions persist among supporters of various candidates, particularly those of Kortor Kwagrue.
