GANTA, Nimba – Nimba’s Sen. Prince Yormie Johnson is calling for a united Nimba County Legislative Caucus in order to ensure that the county can benefit from peace and development.

Johnson made the statement this past weekend when he called on Rep. Larry P. Younquoi of Nimba’s eighth district to forgive him for the sake of peace.

“As I take my seat, I call upon Hon. Larry Younquoi, if I have done anything wrong to you, forgive me – let’s put our county in front,” Johnson said while at a program in Ganta.

Johnson and Younquoi have been dueling over the chairman position of the Nimba County Legislative Caucus. The senator has chaired the caucus since the 52^nd National Legislature (although Sen. Thomas Grupee did briefly serve as an interim chair).

Younquoi, who believes that another person should now serve in the position, has expressed his own interest in the chairmanship and has developed a set of rules that could be used to guide the caucus’ activities.

“To have such a task where people expect you to preside over the resources of the county – to preside over peace and tranquility, and development programs of the county – you must be guided by some rules and regulations,” Younquoi earlier said during an interview with journalists in Saclepea.

The representative’s interest in the position has caused a split among members of the caucus, with lawmakers making their positions known in the media. Rep. Jeremiah Koung, of Nimba’s first district, has insisted that Johnson should remain the chairman of the caucus.

But Johnson now says the county’s lawmakers need to present themselves as a united front to better serve the people of Nimba.

“Let’s stop the too much talking; it is about time the people benefit from your good will,” he said. “I am building a multi-million dollars polytechnic [institute]. It is now time that you invite us too to break grounds for your own projects.”

However, for all of Johnson’s call for unity, he did not address the major cause of the split – he failed to state whether he would no longer push for the chairmanship of the caucus.

Featured photo by Arrington Ballah