By: Darlington L. Paye, Reporter, Radio Voice of Yarwin Mehnsonnoh 99.1FM, Contact: +231775154449

Laintoin, Yarwin Mehnsonnoh, Nimba County, Liberia – February 19, 2025: A heated political debate has emerged in Mehnosonnoh Administrative District, Yarwin Mehnsonnoh Statutory District, Nimba County, following a decision by the chiefs and elders urging Hon. Richard Matenokay Tingban to step aside in favor of Madam Edith Gongloe Weh in the upcoming senatorial bye-elections.

During a gathering convened in Laintoin to communicate their decision, the chiefs and elders presented a symbolic white chicken and kola nuts to Hon. Tingban, a traditional gesture of appreciation and persuasion. The elders, through their spokesperson, pleaded with him, stating, “Hon. Tingban, please allow your sister because she has suffered a lot.”

However, Hon. Tingban rejected their plea, questioning the rationale behind their decision. “Is this the reason you are asking me to step aside? Because my sister has suffered? If so, then I have suffered more,” he remarked. He further challenged the elders’ definition of suffering, arguing that running for election three times without success does not necessarily equate to hardship.

Hon. Tingban listed his numerous contributions to the district, highlighting his extensive development initiatives across the district.

Following his firm rejection, the elders attempted to clarify their stance, stating that their nephew had misspoken. They emphasized that their plea was meant to foster peace and unity rather than to favor one candidate over another based on hardship.

In response, Hon. Tingban’s national chairman, Hon. Kpountuo, returned the white chicken and kola nuts to the elders, reinforcing Tingban’s stance while, on the other hand, the chiefs and elders also returned the transportation provided by Hon. Tingban. The political crisis in Glehyee-Zorpea deepens and, from our critical analysis, is far from over, and if real care is not taken, it might further deepen beyond what it is now.

Expressing his dissatisfaction, Hon. Tingban questioned why the elders were singling him out instead of allowing an open and fair electoral process. “Why are the elders not calling upon both of us? Why not conduct an opinion poll or a ticket-based decision?” he asked, emphasizing the lack of fairness in their approach.

Concluding his address, he declared, “Since the decision was based on no concrete reason and lacks fairness, I will not step aside. My name must appear on the 2025 Nimba County bye-election ballot paper.”