Gbarnga, Bong County – Once hailed as a political powerhouse in Bong County, Representative Marvin Cole now finds himself navigating uncertain terrain. The former Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC) stalwart’s decision Saturday to join the Citizens Movement of Change (CMC) has not sparked the enthusiasm it might have in previous years. Instead, it has exposed just how far his influence has diminished.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
Cole, who represents Bong County’s District 3, was for years regarded as one of the CDC’s most visible and effective mobilizers in the county. During the peak of the George Weah administration, Rep. Cole’s presence in Bong was synonymous with power, wealth, and logistical muscle.
It was not uncommon for him to spend up to one million Liberian dollars weekly in his district — funding community events, fuel supplies, youth groups, and spontaneous cash handouts that ensured his image remained untouchable.
But the tides have changed.
In the aftermath of the CDC’s electoral defeat in 2023, Rep. Cole’s political armor appears to have cracked. His crossover to the CMC — led by Nimba County Representative Musa Hassan Bility — may have come not from a position of strength, but from visible desperation to stay politically relevant in the county.
Though welcomed by Rep. Bility and publicly praised as a “gamechanger,” Rep. Cole’s switch has been received with skepticism in Bong County, where residents are increasingly disillusioned with political theatrics.
“Marvin Cole isn’t leading the people anymore,” said a resident of Gbarnga. “He’s chasing shadows. What we’re seeing is someone trying to hold on to relevance — not someone leading with conviction.”
That sentiment is echoed even within his support base. At his CMC unveiling event, many of the attendees arrived wearing CDC paraphernalia — a telling sign that while Rep. Cole may have changed jerseys, his followers haven’t. Several admitted openly that they were not there for CMC, but for “Marvin the man.”
Rep. Cole’s fall from grace hasn’t been sudden — it’s been gradual and public. In recent months, he has been plagued by controversy, most notably a three-month suspension from the House of Representatives for disorderly conduct. That suspension significantly dented his standing both in the Legislature and among his constituents, who had come to expect regular engagement and community contributions.
Then came the Gbarmu Town protests. Residents accused Rep. Cole of mishandling social development funds from the Hurine Mining Company, prompting fiery demonstrations that led to a bridge being burned and several arrests. Protesters didn’t just criticize government failure — they named Rep. Cole directly as an enabler of exploitation and neglect.
Further damage to his reputation came after a violent storm struck parts of his district, displacing dozens. Unlike in previous years, when Rep. Cole would have mobilized emergency support, residents say he was largely absent and offered no meaningful assistance — not even transportation or temporary shelter.
“Where is the Marvin who used to send trucks of supplies during emergencies?” asked one storm victim. “That Marvin vanished after CDC lost. Now he’s just another name.”
Much of Rep. Cole’s earlier dominance was built not only on charisma, but on access — access to power, funding, and favor from CDC kingmakers like former Minister of State Nathaniel McGill. With McGill and others no longer in control of the state machinery, Rep. Cole’s financial tap appears to have dried up.
As one political analyst put it, “Rep. Cole’s move to the CMC isn’t about belief. It’s about the wallet. He’s moved from chasing McGill to chasing Rep. Bility.”
The suggestion is clear that in Liberia’s political system, where access to resources often outweighs ideology, Rep. Cole’s influence was always transactional. And now, stripped of state backing and plagued by controversies, his previous brand of patronage politics is struggling to survive.
Inside the CMC, not everyone is convinced of Rep. Cole’s intentions. While some see his defection as a strategic win — a chance to penetrate Bong County with a familiar face — others view him as a “political migrant” merely seeking a soft landing.
“Marvin is here,” a senior CMC executive told FrontPageAfrica, “but the real question is whether he brings loyalty or just baggage. We’ll find out soon enough.”
Despite the political rebranding, Rep. Cole has remained careful not to burn bridges with the CDC. He continues to speak with top CDC figures and has yet to issue any public criticism of the party that helped him rise. Some see this as evidence that his departure is only temporary — a tactical pause, not a break.
In his own words, Rep. Cole defended his move as a continuation of opposition politics: “I will continue to support any political movement that is prepared to hold the ruling establishment accountable.”
But for a man who once commanded crowds and dictated the political temperature in Bong, the current reality is stark. His influence is no longer absolute. His name no longer commands instant obedience. And his next political chapter — whether it ends in redemption or retreat — is uncertain.
