In a stunning reversal of early projections, the National Elections Commission (NEC) has projected Samuel G. Kogar of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) to be the decisive winner of Nimba County’s hotly contested senatorial by-election, with 92.66% of votes counted (682 of 736 polling places).
Official Results Show Kogar Dominates
The NEC’s near-final tally reveals:
- Samuel G. Kogar (MDR): 56,706 votes (60.2%)
- Edith Gongloe Weh (Independent): 36,454 votes (38.7%)
Kogar’s lead, now a commanding 20,252 votes, marks a dramatic turnaround from earlier provisional results, where the race appeared neck-and-neck. His surge in later tallies reflects overwhelming support in rural strongholds, effectively sealing his victory.
Just 24 hours ago, Gongloe Weh and Kogar were separated by a mere 128 votes, with analysts predicting a photo finish. However, as ballots from deeper parts of Nimba poured in, Kogar’s numbers skyrocketed, while Gongloe Weh’s momentum stalled.
Political observers attribute the shift to Kogar’s robust grassroots network and the MDR’s organizational strength in remote districts. Gongloe Weh, running as an independent, initially drew strong urban support but failed to match Kogar’s countywide appeal.
With only 54 polling stations remaining uncounted, the NEC recent report confirmed that Kogar’s lead is mathematically insurmountable. Barring unforeseen challenges, the commission is expected to formally declare him as Nimba’s next senator in the coming days.
NEC Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah commended voters for their patience and reiterated the integrity of the process, despite earlier reports of minor irregularities.
Sources close to Gongloe Weh’s campaign acknowledged the results but stopped short of conceding, noting that the team is “reviewing the data.” However, with the margin so wide, legal challenges appear unlikely.
Kogar’s victory solidifies the MDR’s influence in Nimba, Liberia’s second-most populous county, and deals a blow to independent movements that had hoped to disrupt traditional party politics.
As celebrations erupt in Kogar’s strongholds, the focus now shifts to his promised agenda: youth employment, road development, and increased county revenue sharing, key issues that resonated with rural voters.
