Ellen, Taylor endorse Edith Gongloe-Weh

Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf joins an array of women here, lending support to the senatorial bid of female candidate Edith Gongloe-Weh in Tuesday, April 22, 2025, senatorial by-election in Nimba County. Madam Gongloe-Weh is contesting against seven male candidates in the race to fill a seat made vacant by the death last year of Senator Prince Yormie Johnson.

By Lincoln G. Peters

Monrovia, Liberia, April 18, 2025 – Former Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, openly beats her chest here, for lone female senatorial candidate, Edith Gongloe-Weh, in the Nimba County Senatorial By-election scheduled for Tuesday, 22 April, assuring the people of Nimba that if elected, Madam Gongloe-Weh would serve with integrity, commitment, dedication and progress.

Similarly, former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor also endorses the candidacy of Madam Gongloe-Weh, as political leader of the National Patriotic Party, presenting a purse in support of her campaign.

Making a brief remark on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in front of the Invincible Sports Park in Monrovia, Madam Sirleaf also endorsed Madam Gongloe-Weh with explicit confidence in her ability to deliver quality and transparent leadership for her people.

“This is former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. I am joining the women of Liberia to support women candidate in the legislature. Liberia can’t be left behind. All countries are moving forward to give women their rightful place. Anyone who stops them, you are stopping progress in the world. So, I am here today, to support Edith Gongloe-Weh, a candidate for the Nimba County legislature. I want everyone, especially women and girls in Nimba to join me and support her” Madam Sirleaf urges.

Reflecting on Madam Gongloe-Weh’s public service record, the former President recalls that she served in her administration as superintendent of Nimba county, and did serve very well.

“Let me just say this, Edith served as Superintendent in my administration. And she did a very good job. She showed integrity, commitment, dedication and so, she will do well in the Liberian Legislature; thank you.”

Also on Thursday, dozens of women mainly from the Women NGOs Secretarial of Liberia held a financial rally for the political campaign of Madam Gongloe-Weh.

At the rally, they brought musical set, and a box covered with a lapper whereby-passers, especially women, threw in cash to support the candidacy of Madam Gongloe-Weh, while others contributed through MobileMoney service.

But former President Sirleaf left her residence right opposite the Park and walked to the women where she deposited an envelope containing an undisclosed amount of money to boost Madam Gongloe-Weh’s campaign. Similarly, former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, who was unable to be in person, provided an envelope and remarked briefly via mobile telephone.

She officially announced her support for Edith in Tuesday’s senatorial by-election.

According to the former Vice President, her endorsement is decision of Concerned Partisans and members of the National Patriotic Party’s National Executive Committee to unite behind Madam Gongloe-Weh.

She describes Edith as a respected native of Nimba County and a dedicated advocate for good governance and women’s empowerment, reminding Nimbaians that Madam Gongloe-Weh is a positive force for the region.

“As Standard Bearer of the NPP, I fully endorse the courageous and strategic choice of the Concerned Partisans and NEC members, to support Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh. At this critical juncture, I urge all NPP supporters, especially women throughout Nimba County, to recognize the importance of voting for Edith. Her success will not only advance the county but also promote inclusive leadership,” Chief Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor affirms.

However, she acknowledges ongoing leadership challenges within the NPP, noting that the Party currently lacks an officially recognized leadership structure by the National Elections Commission (NEC).

“The NPP is presently in a leadership crisis,” she states and adds, “We must overcome internal divisions and commit to rebuilding our party through a transparent and democratic convention. Unity is essential for the future of the NPP.”

At the same time, the former first lady reaffirms her dedication to democratic principles and party cohesion, pledging to collaborate with all loyal partisans to restore the NPP’s legitimacy and prominence on the national stage.

The NPP’s current political leader urges all partisans to remain vigilant, engaged, and active contributors in “shaping a stronger, more inclusive NPP.” -Editing by Jonathan Browne