By: Sualeh Kannay Ziamo
Ahead of the much publicized Senatorial election, the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) has endorsed the candidature of Nimba District #1 Representative, Jeremiah K. Koung as its lone candidate for the upcoming December 8 mid-term election.
The program was held in Ganta on August 5, 2020 and graced by cross-section of citizens, local and national executives of the party, Grand Bassa County Representative, Vincent Willie, among others.
Speaking when he did a symbolic casting of ballot for Rep. Koung, the political leader of MRD and Nimba county Senator, Prince Y. Johnson said the party’s decision to overwhelmingly endorse the Senatorial bid of Rep. Koung is based on the fact that he is the only partisan of the party who has expressed interesting in contesting the pending Senatorial election in Nimba county.
“Jeremiah is our only partisan who has long since expressed the desire to go for the Senatorial position. And so, as a party, we have decided to overwhelmingly endorse and support him”, the MDR political leader said.
According to Senator Johnson, another reason for the party’s decision to endorse and support the candidacy of Rep. Koung is based on his (Koung) commitment and loyalty shown to him (Sen. Johnson) through his (Koung) consistency with first the National Union for Democratic Progress (NUDP), and then the current party, MRD and above all Rep. Koung’s numerous contributions to the people of Nimba county since he got the County’s political scene in 2012 following his election as Representative of District #1 in 2011.
Senator Johnson cited some of those major contributions and development the District of Rep. Koung that have benefited the people of Nimba as the construction of a hundred bed room hospital in Ganta which is offering health services (some of which are free) to the citizens, construction schools, markets, provision of loan to market women, provision of drugs and ambulances to other health centers around the county and his advocacy for the county at the National Legislature as some of the reasons behind the party’s support to his Senatorial bid.
The Nimba County Senator asserted that the “development characteristics and loyalty” of Representative Koung are uncommon among his peers, recalling that out of the seven citizens of the county his NUDP party promoted to national Legislature, Rep. Koung is the only person who has remain loyal and humble since 2011.
“We are here today to endorse Jeremiah because of how loyal, respectful and Honorable he has been to us and the party since 2011, unlike the others who have disappointed we who brought them to political prominence”, Senator Johnson stressed.
The Nimba County Senator called on partisans of the MDR, citizens of Nimba and would be political sympathizers to work assiduously hard and use their influence to make sure that Representative Jeremiah K. Koung gets elected to the Senate and assured citizens of the county that Rep. Koung would make a better Senator who will work along with him (Johnson) and other members of the County’s caucus to make sure that Nimba gets what it deserves.
Speaking about the winning the primary on white ballot, Rep. Koung expressed gratitude to Senator Johnson whom he described as his political “godfather”, the MDR party and all citizens of Nimba for their overwhelmingly support to him in his current position as Representative and their again expressed support to his Senatorial bid and assured them that he will work hard in their interest to uphold the confidence and trust imposed in him.
Representative Koung who spoke very briefly assured Partisans and executives of his MDR party that with their support, his dream of becoming the County’s next Senator will be realized as he is prepared to take the message of unity to every part of the county.
Rep. Koung who major message during his acquaintance visits has been centered around unity called on his supporters and those wishing to support him to do so void of preaching hate messages and spewing invectives in the name of attracting votes, noting that “when you do that, you tend to make my work to unite our people after we have the election very difficult”.
“When the time to Campaign reaches, go out there and campaign for me. Don’t insult my brothers and sisters who might be contesting with me; they are all leaders and great children of the county”, Rep. Koung admonished his supporters ahead of the official launch of campaign.
