Political Heavyweights Unite Behind Female Candidate Ahead of Crucial By-Election
In a significant boost to Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh’s campaign for the Nimba County Senatorial by-election, former Vice President Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor has thrown her full support behind the seasoned politician and women’s rights advocate.
Howard-Taylor, who also serves as the Standard Bearer of the National Patriotic Party (NPP), praised Gongloe-Weh as a unifying figure capable of advancing good governance and inclusive leadership in Nimba. Her endorsement follows a resolution by the NPP’s Concerned Partisans and National Executive Committee (NEC) members to rally behind Gongloe-Weh’s candidacy.
“At this pivotal moment, we must prioritize progress over division,” Howard-Taylor declared in a statement. “I urge every NPP supporter, especially the women of Nimba, to vote for Edith Gongloe-Weh. Her victory will not only uplift the county but also reinforce the vital role of women in leadership.”
The former Vice President did not shy away from addressing the internal strife plaguing the NPP, acknowledging the party’s current leadership vacuum. “The NPP is in crisis,” she admitted, referencing the absence of a NEC-recognized leadership structure. “To move forward, we must resolve our differences through a democratic and transparent convention. Our strength lies in unity.”
Howard-Taylor pledged to work with loyal partisans to rebuild the party, emphasizing the need for collective action to restore the NPP’s standing in Liberian politics.
Adding to the momentum, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has also endorsed Gongloe-Weh, signaling rare bipartisan support for the candidate. Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female head of state, is a revered figure in Liberian politics, and her backing could further galvanize Gongloe-Weh’s campaign.
The Nimba County by-election has drawn national attention, with Gongloe-Weh emerging as a frontrunner backed by influential political figures. Her platform, centered on governance reform and women’s empowerment, resonates in a region eager for development-focused leadership.
As the race heats up, all eyes are on whether this show of solidarity from Liberia’s political elite will translate into votes, and whether Gongloe-Weh can make history as Nimba’s next senator.
