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Claim: Verity News Online published an article on its Facebook page claiming that the main opposition political party, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), has endorsed three candidates in the Nimba by-election.
Verdict: True! Reginald Mehn, Chairperson of the CDC in Nimba, confirmed to DUBAWA that the party endorsed three candidates in the by-election. The CDC Secretary General Jefferson Koijee also acknowledged the release on his official Facebook page.
Full Text
It is common for political parties to endorse candidates in elections. This act usually convinces their supporters to follow their choices. Candidates’ endorsements allow politicians to align and form a common goal. They help build a candidate’s strength to win or lose an election.
After the National Elections Commission of Liberia’s final announcement of the Nimba by-election and subsequent opening of political campaigns, the ruling Unity Party and others eventually endorsed one of the candidates for the senatorial post.
Congress for Democratic Change, a major opposition party, had a choice to endorse a candidate among the seven contestants. However, party members have been indecisive about who to support in the Nimba election.
On April 11, 2025, Verity News Online posted a press release believed to be from the CDC camp endorsing three candidates in the Nimba by-election. Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh, Cllr. Garrison Doldeh Yealue Jr. and Mark B. Gblinwon were named as candidates endorsed by the CDC for the senatorial seat in Nimba.
A screenshot of the post
As of this write-up, the post had generated 279 reactions, 278 comments, and 49 shares. The comments varied, with some doubting the authenticity of the statement. The mixed reactions led DUBAWA to initiate a fact check.
A screenshot of comments.
Verification
To verify this claim, DUBAWA contacted Reginald Mehn, the Chairperson of the Nimba County CDC, via WhatsApp to check the release’s authenticity. Mehn confirmed the party’s decision to endorse three political candidates in one election. The release urged CDC partisans and supporters in Nimba to vote for any of the three candidates in the April 22nd election.
“This is to inform all distinguished partisans, auxiliaries, and sympathisers of our noble party Nimba Branch that by the directive of the National Executive Committee in collaboration with the County Executive Committee, you are hereby mandated to align and publicly support either of the following candidates in the Nimba County Bi- Election
1. Madam Edith Gongie Weh
2. Clir. Garrison Doldeh Yealue Jr.
3. Hon Mark B. Gblinwon
“This mandate reflects the Love for party discipline. Note: Any party official or member that will be seen speaking support for the regime candidate will be doing that as a violation of our party resolution or standing order which require consequences thereof,” the release quoted.
A screenshot of the release.
Furthermore, CDC Secretary General Jefferson Koijee acknowledged Mehn in a post for adhering to the party’s decision to endorse three candidates for a senatorial seat.
Koijee said in his post, “The National Executive Committee of the mighty Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) extends its sincere appreciation to Chairman Reginald Mend of the CDC-Nimba Branch for adhering to the party’s directive through the timely issuance of a formal press release on official party letterhead. This action demonstrates your continued commitment to party discipline, organisational unity, and the collective direction set forth by the National Leadership in collaboration with our county structures.”
He added, “We now call on all distinguished partisans, auxiliaries, and sympathisers across Nimba County to act with immediacy and precision in accordance with the directive issued. The mandate is clear and binding: no covert or overt support must be given to the regime’s candidate. All loyal CDC partisans are hereby instructed to fully align with and publicly support the independent candidates identified by the party:
1. Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh
2. Cllr. Garrison Doldeh Yealue Jr.
3. Hon. Mark B. Golinwon”
A screenshot of the release.
Conclusion
Our findings show that the CDC has endorsed three candidates in the Nimba by-election..
