GOMPA, Nimba – The regional education officer for five counties in Liberia, George S. S. Wuo, has abandoned his race for representative of Nimba’s first electoral district, according to an official press statement issued by Emmanuel K. Saye, an official of the Friends of George S. S. Wuo political group.

Wuo, who controls Nimba, Bong, River Cess, Grand Bassa and Margibi, previously served as the county education officer of Nimba and was considered one of the more formidable candidates in the race.

“I have come to break the silence about the position of Hon. George S. S. Wuo, the regional education officer of five counties in Liberia – region two,” Saye said in his statement.

“We are calling on all of our supporters, friends, loved ones and all those who believe in the political ideology and philosophy of Hon. George S. S. Wuo to be informed that we are still aspirant of this district number one, Nimba County,” he said. While Wuo still wanted to represent the district, Saye said it would not be in this year’s race.

“That means we will be giving chance to our brothers and sisters who are in the race to showcase their talents in Nimba County, especially district one,” he continued.

The Friends of George S. S. Wuo has not yet pledged support for another candidate in the race. Saye said the group may later support a candidate.

Both Liberty Party and the ruling Unity Party also did not put forth a candidate in Nimba’s first district, which is occupied by incumbent Rep. Jeremiah Koung.

There have been unverified speculations that Koung negotiated a deal with both parties to not field candidates against him. After conducting their primaries in eight electoral districts of the county, the district was left out. But Saye said those were rumors.

“I do not want for Liberia to live on hearsay and ‘they say,’” he said. “As far as we are concerned, George Wuo should have been on the ticket of the Unity Party, and our standing back does not mean a candidate has been selected. Let history prove me right and for the record, nobody has been selected as a candidate for Unity Party in district one. Our own focus now is how to consolidate efforts to get somebody special to become president for our noble country, Liberia.”

Featured photo courtesy of the Friends of George S. S. Wuo