Liberia: MDR Abruptly Withdraws Complaint Against Nimba By-Election Candidates, Sparking Political Speculation

Monrovia, April 4, 2025 – In a surprise turn of events, the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) has withdrawn its complaint against two contenders in the upcoming Nimba County senatorial by-election, raising speculation over behind-the-scenes political dealings and strategy shifts.

The MDR’s complaint, which was due for hearing on April 3, 2025, at the National Elections Commission (NEC) headquarters in Sinkor, accused Mr. Tee Wonokay-Farngalo and Madam Edith L. Gongloe-Weh, both independent candidates, of serious electoral violations warranting disqualification. The party alleged that Mr. Wonokay-Farngalo’s candidacy was invalid because he had previously contested in Montserrado County District #3 during the 2023 General and Presidential Elections—an action the MDR claimed violated electoral rules restricting cross-district candidacies within the same cycle. Additionally, the party accused Madam Gongloe-Weh of fraudulent voter registration, claiming she used her sister as a proxy to register in Nimba County. The NEC had scheduled the hearing to investigate these claims at its James M. Fromayan Conference Hall. However, on April 2, just a day before the hearing, the MDR submitted a formal letter of withdrawal, providing no public explanation for the abrupt reversal. The decision has sparked widespread speculation among political observers and voters in Nimba County. Reacting to the withdrawal, Tee Wonokay-Farngalo welcomed the dismissal of the complaint but condemned the MDR’s tactics, accusing the party of deliberately attempting to damage his reputation and stall his campaign.

“They caused a serious delay in my campaign and spread falsehoods that affected my reputation. I will pursue legal action to hold them accountable,” Farngalo told reporters shortly after the NEC struck the case from its docket.

Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh, who had previously dismissed the allegations as baseless, called the MDR’s withdrawal “a vindication of truth,” and reiterated her commitment to a campaign rooted in transparency and public service. “This move reaffirms what we’ve been saying all along—there was no wrongdoing. Our focus remains on delivering real solutions to the people of Nimba,” she said. Officials at the NEC confirmed that the case had been removed from the hearing schedule, but reassured the public of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to upholding electoral integrity.

The withdrawal comes at a time when the NEC has ramped up enforcement against electoral misconduct. Just weeks ago, the Commission disqualified another by-election candidate, Prophet Key, for fraudulent voter registration. The MDR’s retreat, in contrast, has raised questions about the strength of its evidence and possible political pressures at play. Political analysts are divided over the party’s motives. Some suggest the MDR may have lacked sufficient evidence to win the case, while others believe internal disagreements or behind-the-scenes negotiations with key power brokers in Nimba may have influenced the decision. With the legal hurdle removed, the by-election race in Nimba County—one of Liberia’s most politically consequential regions—intensifies. Candidates are now ramping up their campaigns as the April election date nears, with public attention shifting from the courtroom to the campaign trail. As the contest unfolds, voters and analysts alike will be watching to see whether the MDR’s withdrawal changes the electoral dynamics—or simply adds more intrigue to an already fiercely competitive race.