By Amos Harris
A fresh wave of political tension has emerged in Nimba County, Liberia, as Senator Samuel G. Kogar has publicly accused President Joseph N. Boakai and his administration of fueling tribal division and practicing selective governance—charges that have significantly deepened the political debate within Liberia’s second most populous county.
Speaking on a local radio program, Senator Kogar expressed disappointment and surprise over reports of a planned public feast organized to honor the late Senator Prince Yormie Johnson, asserting that he was not informed or consulted about the event. He described the initiative as an act of disrespect to the bereaved Johnson family and an action contrary to Nimba’s established traditional values.
“The late Senator Prince Johnson’s feast is news to me. I’m just hearing about it,” Kogar stated during the broadcast.
“Traditionally, for someone to hold a feast for your father or relative without consulting the family is a serious act of disrespect. There’s still division within the family.”
Kogar further claimed that internal disputes among members of the Johnson family made the planned public celebration inappropriate. He alleged that certain political actors were taking advantage of existing family tensions for their own personal or political gain.
“When you’re financially weak, people tend to exploit you. That’s what’s happening here—you can’t have ongoing family conflict and yet celebrate publicly,” the Senator contended.
Beyond the feast controversy, the Nimba lawmaker launched a strong critique of the Unity Party (UP)-led government, accusing it of entrenching corruption and regional favoritism—practices he said are similar to those often attributed to the former Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) administration.
“We campaigned against the CDC because of corruption; it was visible to everyone,” Kogar said. “But in this government, the corruption is even deeper; the only difference is the faces.”
He alleged that President Boakai’s administration has disproportionately favored Lofa County, the President’s home region, in political appointments and development projects. He drew a sharp comparison to how the previous government was perceived to have favored the southeast.
“We voted the CDC out because they concentrated power and projects in the southeast,” Kogar asserted. “But today, it’s the same thing—the focus is on Lofa, and most of the top positions are filled by people from there.”
Senator Kogar also criticized the government’s recent decision to replace former Mines and Energy Minister Wilmot Paye with R. Mantenokay Tingban, both of whom hail from Nimba County. He argued that the reshuffle was a politically calculated move aimed at dividing Nimba’s leadership base and creating friction among the county’s political stakeholders.
“The decision to remove Minister Paye and replace him with Tingban is meant to divide Nimbaians,” Kogar contended. “We were not consulted. I’m a straightforward person—if you do right, I’ll commend you; if you do wrong, I’ll speak out without fear.”
Despite his sharp criticism of the national government and its handling of the issue in Nimba, the Senator called on his constituents to remain peaceful, united, and vigilant, warning against political manipulation that could undermine the county’s social fabric.
“I urge the people of Nimba to stay united and not allow anyone to divide us,” he stressed. “I’m not a disrespectful person, but I’ll always speak the truth.”
Kogar’s comments have reignited national discussion on tribal balance, corruption, and inclusiveness under the Boakai administration. While his statements reflect growing dissent among some lawmakers, supporters of the Unity Party have defended the government’s record, insisting that appointments are based on competence and merit, not tribal affiliation.
As tensions simmer, the situation in Nimba County underscores the fragile nature of Liberia’s political unity and the persistent challenge President Boakai faces in balancing regional expectations while maintaining his administration’s promise of national reconciliation and good governance.