GANTA, Nimba – Residents of Nimba’s District One have petitioned Amos N. G. Suah to contest the representative seat for the 2017 election.

Suah was formally petitioned by Bein-Garr citizens under the banner ‘Supporters of Glehbogeay’ at a ceremony held in the auditorium of the John Wesley Pearson High School in Ganta.

During the occasion, the head of the group, Daniel Dolopei, presented the petition. “We the citizens of this district have seen your many good works, and as deemed it necessary to have you represent us at the Capitol comes 2017,” Dolopei Said.

Dolopei cited Suah’s history of donating to the district from his personal resources. He mentioned Suah’s land donations to the Ganta Christian Community, Tua-River Association, and the Dan-Kwado Club, among others.

Amos N. G. Suah. Photo: Arrington Ballah

Dolopei called on all well-meaning citizens of the district to view Suah as a ‘true son of the soil’ and vote him as their next representative.

Critics of the current representative, Jeremiah Koung, complain that he is not a son of Nimba, mainly because his last name is not that of the major ethnic groups of Nimba.

Accepting the petition, Suah thanked the citizens for selecting him to contest the representative race in the 2017 elections. “I accept your request for now,” Suah said. “But, please permit me to consult with my family about this.” He added.

Meanwhile, the head of the Council of Elders of Bein-Garr, Rev. Nya Taylor Guanue has described the district as a “sheep without shepherd.”

Speaking to journalists following the petitioning ceremony, Guanue said the Koung’s impact is not being felt, and as such he needed to be replaced. He noted that the change can only be done through the process of elections and that the citizens of Bein-Garr are the ones to do just that.

Suah served as Inspector of the City of Gompa from 2003–2005 and has since being seeking the post of mayor of Ganta. As all mayors are appointed by the president, there were unconfirmed reports that Koung did not consider Suah’s request for a recommendation to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for the post. Koung has denied such claims.