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Samuel Kogar, the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction’s (MDR) candidate, has been declared the winner of the Nimba County senatorial by-election held on April 22, 2025.
Within 48 hours after Election Day, the National Elections Commission (NEC) announced the final results, declaring Kogar the winner.
“NEC Liberia declares candidate Samuel Kogar as the winner,” the commission said.
Former Representative Kogar won with 62,136 total votes, representing 52.08% of the total valid votes cast. His main rival, Independent candidate Edith Weh, obtained 40,506 total votes, constituting 33.95%.
Mack Gblinwon of the Citizens Movement for Change came third with 7,489 votes, representing 6.28%, while ex-lawmaker, Garrison Yealue obtained 5,513 votes, constituting 4.62%, sitting in the 4th place.
Former Representative Richard Tingban of the Vision for Liberia Transformation came 5th with 1,557 votes, representing 1.31%, and George Gonpu of the African Democratic Movement took the 6th place with 1,114 votes, constituting 0.93%.
In last place is independent candidate Torbor Farngalo, who got 987 votes, representing 0.83% of the total valid votes cast.
Of the total 307,254 registered Liberian voters in the Nimba election, 122,312 voters participated. However, a total of 119,302 valid votes were cast, and 3,010 were invalid.
Main rival, Edith Weh, concedes defeat
Within a few minutes of the announcement of the final results by the NEC, the lone female candidate, Edith Weh, conceded defeat.
Weh congratulated Senator-elect Kogar and called on the people of Nimba to put their political differences aside and unite to build the county.
“I concede defeat,” she said. “I want to congratulate Hon. Samuel Gongben Kogar for his victory.”
Kogar takes the seat of late Senator Prince Johnson
The new Senator-elect, Samuel Kogar, has taken the seat vacated by fallen Senator Prince Johnson.
Johnson sat in the seat for almost two decades and was regarded by many as the “godfather” of Nimba County.
His demise in 2024 made the seat vacant, so a senatorial by-election was held, and Kogar was elected the senator to occupy it. He will join Nya Twayen as one of the two senators of Nimba County.
Another by-election is underway in Nimba
Samuel Kogar was the representative for District #5 in Nimba County. Now that he has been elected senator of Nimba, the people of District 5 are without a representative.
A vacant seat has been created in the House of Representatives. His win has created another by-election in Nimba, District #5. The laws call for a by-election when the legislature has a vacant seat.
Article 37 of the Liberian Constitution states that in the event of a vacancy in the Legislature caused by death, resignation, expulsion, or any other reason, the presiding officer shall notify the Elections Commission within 30 days.
“The Elections Commission shall not later than 90 days thereafter cause a by-election to be held,” the law said.
