Ganta – Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has dismissed rumors of a political rift between him and Nimba County Senator Samuel Kogar, saying there isn’t any animosity regardless of the senator’s current outbursts criticizing his management.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
Talking Monday on the Voice of Gompa (VOG), a neighborhood radio station in Nimba County, Vice President Koung mentioned claims of division between him and the senator have been unfounded. “Nothing is occurring between Kogar and I. I haven’t heard something; all that’s circulating are simply rumors,” Vice President Koung mentioned.
“Even when the election have been held at this time, I might totally assist Senator Kogar. I don’t remorse supporting him, and I’ll by no means remorse doing so.”
Addressing the perceived political divide in Nimba, Vice President Koung added, “In case you verify Senator Kogar and the late Senator Johnson’s DNA, it is going to be the identical as a result of they’re brothers. However in case you evaluate Senator Johnson’s DNA with mine, it gained’t match. That’s why I’m giving Senator Kogar the house to steer the household.”
His feedback got here days after Senator Kogar intensified his criticism of the Vice President throughout a political gathering in Nimba’s District 7, the place he denied being a product of Vice President Koung’s political assist and vowed to stay outspoken.
“The folks mentioned Samuel Kogar will exchange Prince Johnson — will you permit me to be disgraced? No,” Senator Kogar instructed cheering supporters. “I gained’t do scary issues to guard a job.” Senator Kogar rejected claims that Vice President Koung or different figures helped him ascend to the Senate in 2025. “I’m seeing different folks bragging that they made me Senator. That’s not true,” he mentioned.
“The folks of Nimba revered me and made me Senator. I’m not afraid — I’ll at all times communicate out when one thing hurts me. In case you do one thing good, let God respect you, not your self. What makes a person indignant makes him communicate.”
The senator’s remarks have been broadly seen as a direct response to Vice President Koung, who had endorsed him through the 2025 Nimba senatorial by-election following the dying of political strongman Senator Prince Yormie Johnson in November 2024. Since then, tensions have reportedly grown inside the Motion for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) — the occasion based by the late Senator Johnson — after Vice President Koung reportedly chosen Kortor Kwagrue because the MDR candidate for the District 5 by-election with out Senator Kogar’s enter.
Senator Kogar accused Vice President Koung of exerting “authoritarian management” over the occasion and disregarding the county’s legislative caucus. “Some folks keep silent as a result of they need to hold energy and play sycophancy,” Senator Kogar mentioned. “As senator, I can inform the President I can’t work with somebody, and he’ll hear. The President wants me greater than them.” He additionally questioned Koung’s political posture as a nationwide chief who nonetheless identifies primarily with county politics. “The Vice President just isn’t the primary of Nimba; he’s the second of the Republic,” Senator Kogar said.
“No different vp in Liberia has been lowered to a county determine. That’s unsuitable. You will be the referees, you then need to be soccer gamers. However as a pacesetter, I need to communicate the reality. If he needs a face-off, I’m prepared.”
Regardless of the criticism, Senator Kogar acknowledged his conventional relationship with the Vice President. “Historically, Jeremiah Koung is my son, and I respect him,” he mentioned. “However as a pacesetter, I need to communicate the reality. If he needs a face-off, I’m prepared.”
