By Festus Poquie
Former Nimba County Superintendent Edith Gongloe-Weh is capturing the hearts and hopes of an electorate eager for change as she stands out as the sole female candidate in the upcoming Senate by-election.
With a bold promise to promote education, infrastructure development, healthcare, and women’s empowerment, her campaign is emerging as a formidable force against the entrenched male political hegemony represented by incumbent Representative Samuel Kogar and the ruling Unity Party Alliance.
As Nimba County gears up to vote on Tuesday, April 22, nearly 400,000 registered voters, particularly women and youths, are rallying around Gongloe-Weh’s vision for a better future—a future that distinguishes her from Kogar, who is banking on traditional connections and his legacy as the relative of the late Senator Prince Yormie Johnson.
The campaign reached a decisive moment on Saturday when Gongloe-Weh addressed a monumental crowd in Ganta, illustrating her potential to transform the political landscape in a region long ruled by male dominance and traditional practices.
“We want to continue to fight for the people of Nimba,” she declared, her voice resonating with thousands who defied the status quo in a historic turnout that has been lauded as one of the largest in recent memory.
The enthusiastic gathering bolstered by endorsements from high-profile figures such as former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who implored Nimbaians to secure a seat for women in the Senate. “It’s time women are given a seat at the table. Edith is the right voice at the right time,” she stated, fueling the campaign for gender parity in governance.
As the once underwhelming campaign of Gongloe-Weh has morphed into a dynamic movement, support has surged from women’s organizations and youth groups who view her candidacy as a beacon of hope for genuine representation.
Spearheading the nationwide #SheDeservesASeat campaign, women from diverse backgrounds are increasingly vocal, uniting under the banner of empowerment and representation. “Today, we come together as one voice to declare: Edith Gongloe-Weh embodies hope and empowerment for all women in our nation,” the coalition asserted.
Though the competition is fierce, Kogar’s connections to the ruling establishment and his efforts to cement a perceived inheritance of power worry many voters, who resent the notion that leadership should privilege tradition over merit. “We need leaders who represent the interests of the people, not just politicians clinging to the past,” remarked a local supporter.
A former Superintendent, Gongloe-Weh’s strong track record of community development is a significant draw for voters. Her efforts in improving public infrastructure and healthcare accessibility during her previous tenure demonstrate her commitment to tackling the very challenges that have stunted growth in Nimba County.
Voter sentiment appears to be shifting as polling day nears. Voters in northern Nimba County appears electorate tired of political patronage and unfulfilled promises.
However, the race is not without its hurdles. The traditional use of financial incentives and cash inducements to sway votes still looms large as a potential barrier to her campaign. The voters are alert as they chanted on the streets of Ganta “ we na [do not] m want money, we want Edith,” in a remarkable display of. The spirit of energy.
