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The second largest populated county in Liberia, Nimba County, is expected to go to the polls in a by-election to elect a new senator to replace the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson, who was acclaimed as the political godfather of the county,
This by-election is scheduled for April 22, 2025.
Who was Prince Yormie Johnson?
The late Senator Prince Y. Johnson was a former Liberian rebel leader who later became a politician following the end of Liberia’s over 14 years of civil crisis. He was born on July 6, 1952, and hailed from the second-most populated county in Liberia, Nimba County.
The late Senator Johnson became notorious due to his role during Liberia’s more than 14 years of civil war between 1989 and 2003, a war that led to the killing of more than 2,000 Liberians and displacing several others.
The late Nimba County Senator and self-acclaimed godfather of the Nimba also became infamous following a video where he was seen presiding over the murder of former Liberian President Samuel K. Doe, who he, the late Prince Johnson believed, was going after the people of Nimba county for whom he had come to protect.
In 2005, the late Senate Prince Yormie Johnson became a politician and contested for the senatorial seat in Nimber County. He won as a senator, a position he held until his demise in November 2024.
What does the law say about vacancies within the Liberian Senate?
In early February 2025, the Liberian Senate, through its secretary, Nanborlor F. Singbeh, officially notified the National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC) about a vacant seat in the 55th Legislature’s Senate.
The Liberian Senate’s action to inform the National Elections Commission (NEC) about the vacancy created within the Liberian Senate is based on the constitution and the Liberian Senate’s standing rules.
Article 37 of the Liberian Constitution clearly states, “In the event of a vacancy in the Legislature caused by death, resignation, expulsion or otherwise, the presiding officer shall within 30 days notify the Elections Commission thereof. The Elections Commission shall not later than 90 days thereafter cause a by-election to be held, provided that where such vacancy occurs within 90 days before the holding of general elections, the filling of the vacancy shall await the holding of such general elections.”
When is the election expected to be conducted?
According to the National Elections Commission (NEC)‘s official timetable, the Nimba County By-election is expected to be held on April 22, 2025. The timetable stated that from March 20 to March 25, the NEC commenced replacing lost and damaged voter cards within the county.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) Timetable
| Dates | Activities |
| March 20 – 25, 2025 | Replacement of lost/damaged cards |
| March 31 – April 19, 2025 | Political campaign |
| March 31, 2025 | Publication of the final list of candidates |
| April 2, 2025 | Publication of voting precincts listing |
| April 22, 2025 | Election day |
| April 28, 2025 | Announcement of provisional results |
| May 2, 2025 | Announcement of final results |
So, who becomes the heir to the late Senator Prince Johnson as the Senator to the second largest county in Liberia? Time will tell.
