GBARNGA, Bong – Josiah Marvin Cole, who was recently dismissed by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as mayor of Gbarnga, has accepted a petition from residents of Bong’s third electoral district to contest the district’s representative seat in the ensuing October elections.

The citizens, in a petition presented Saturday, January 21, said they wanted Cole elected as representative to ensure that he works with Gbarnga authorities for the development of the city and as well as to provide “proper” representation for the surrounding district.

The petitioners expressed regrets over the manner in which Cole was dismissed as mayor, citing political interferences.

Barely three months following his induction as mayor of Gbarnga, Cole was dismissed by Sirleaf for “not following the city ordinance.”

His dismissal disappointed many, not only in Gbarnga, but also across the county, even though there were few people who supported the president’s action.

Cole’s petitioners, predominately young people, promised to use their meager resources to vigorously campaign for his election when the campaign season opens.

The petitioners also encouraged citizens to turn out in mass and register during the voter registration exercise slated for February 1 to March 7.

Josiah Marvin Cole accepts citizens’ petition. Photo: Moses Bailey

In his acceptance speech, Cole said under his watch as representative, he would make sure Gbarnga receives the needed development.

He said within a relatively short period, he was able to work with the Gbarnga city council and citizens to give the city a facelift.

“In 90 days, we were able to hit Gbarnga with the long-awaited development the city has been yearning for,” he said.

He promised to work with all sectors to ensure his dream of beautifying Gbarnga is realized: “My hope and my heart for Gbarnga is to make Gbarnga a great city more than Ganta City, I will come back to deliver Gbarnga City.”

Gbarnga, which is 68 km away from Gompa (informally known as Ganta), has languished in the shadow of its larger and more prosperous neighbor, which has more luxurious hotels and amenities.

The “King of Kpelleh gospel,” David W. Grualee. Photo courtesy of David W. Grualee

At the petitioning ceremony, Cole announced several personalities, including musicians, pastors, business people, and community residents as members of his campaign team.

One of those appointed to the team is the “King of Kpelleh gospel music,” David W. Grualee, who will head the campaign team when the process opens.

Grualee accepted the offer and promised to use his talents to deliver the votes to Cole.

“I have accepted the position as campaign chairman before coming here,” Grualee said. “We are doing that because of you. We are doing that because of our county and we are doing that because of our children. This county is in the heart of the country and so this city should be the most beautiful city. But when people have vision for the city, then they are removed like this.”

Joseph K. Cammue, general manager of Success Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals. Photo: Moses Bailey

Joseph K. Cammue, a respected youth of Gbarnga and general manager of Success Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals, also promised his support to Cole.

“We all are behind Marvin Cole to run for representative, but here is my advice to the public: most of our elected officials have been lying to us because we demand money from them to elect them,” Cammue said at the program. “Some of them credit to give us money and when they win, they need to pay those monies before bringing development to us. We should not expect or demand money from Cole.”

“If you have your car during the campaign, don’t allow him to buy car, give your car and we will buy gas to use it,” the young businessman continued. “If you [have] drinking water in our community and he is there, give the people water.”

Several factors could influence and engineer the election of Cole as representative of Bong’s third district, where the incumbent, Representative George S. Mulbah Sr., is finishing his second consecutive term as representative.

One factor that is already playing in favor of Cole is the widespread belief across the county that Cole’s removal was masterminded by some leaders of the county, including Mulbah. Mulbah has said that he has no ideas about the dismissal.

Another factor that could pay off for Cole is the multiplicity of candidates for the lone seat.

Unlike Cole, who has got a clear message that is at the heart of the citizens about upgrading Gbarnga, most of the other aspirants are yet to proffer a message that would truly resonate with the electorate.

If Cole and his supporters can maintain the current political momentum for the next eight months to elections, he will be a formidable force to reckon with.

Featured photo by Moses Bailey