MDR: Expels Sen. Kogar Over Opposition to Unity Party Alliance

• The Movement of Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) has indefinitely expelled Senator Samuel Gongben Kogar for opposing the Unity Party-led government.
• MDR Chairman and Labour Minister Cllr. Cooper Krauh stated the expulsion followed due process, including an opportunity for Senator Kogar to be heard, which he waived by not appearing.
• The party, a collaborator with the Unity Party, emphasized that its members cannot be part of the government and simultaneously act as opposition.
• The expulsion has sparked division in Nimba County, with some citizens supporting Senator Kogar due to his ties with the late Senator Prince Johnson.
• Efforts by Nimba chiefs and elders to reconcile Senator Kogar and Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung have reached a deadlock, potentially impacting the Unity Party's 2029 election chances in the region.

The party emphasized that its collaboration with the Unity Party means it cannot simultaneously operate as an opposition force while being part of the governing structure.

The Movement of Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) has announced the indefinite expulsion of Senator Samuel Gongben Kogar from its ranks. This decisive action was taken due to Senator Kogar's alleged opposition to the activities of the Unity Party-led Government, with which the MDR is aligned. The party's Chairman and Labour Minister, Cllr. Cooper Krauh, communicated the decision via a statement published on the MDR's official Facebook page, underscoring the party's commitment to upholding its constitution and bylaws.

According to Cllr. Krauh, the expulsion followed a formal complaint lodged against Senator Kogar. The MDR asserts it adhered to due process requirements, including providing Senator Kogar with a copy of the complaint and offering him an opportunity to present his defense. While Senator Kogar initially engaged with the investigation, he subsequently requested multiple postponements. Ultimately, neither Senator Kogar nor his legal counsel appeared for a scheduled further hearing, which the party interpreted as a waiver of their right to be heard.

Following these procedural steps, the MDR's Executive Committee deliberated on Senator Kogar's failure to attend the hearing. Their discussions culminated in a recommendation for his expulsion, which the party subsequently enacted. As a consequence of his removal, the MDR has instructed Senator Kogar to relinquish any party assets or materials currently in his possession, though no specific deadline for this handover was stipulated.

The MDR leadership, through Chairman and Labour Minister Cllr. Cooper Krauh and its executive body, clarified that the party operates in close collaboration with the Unity Party, positioning itself as an integral part of the current government. This strategic alliance forms the core of the MDR's rationale for Senator Kogar's expulsion, as the party maintains that a member cannot simultaneously participate in the government and act as an opposition figure. The MDR explicitly stated its unwavering support for the Unity Party and its president, affirming its commitment both historically and for the future.

Chairman Krauh emphasized that any actions perceived to interfere with the MDR's established relationship with the Unity Party would be considered a contravention of its internal regulations, signaling a firm stance against dissent within its ranks. The party's statement reiterated that Senator Kogar is no longer a member, and therefore, any public declarations he makes do not represent the MDR. It was also noted that some of his recent statements were made without prior consultation with the party leadership. While his exact position within the party prior to expulsion was not explicitly detailed, Senator Kogar was understood to be among its executive members.

The expulsion has already begun to stir significant political and social ripples, particularly within Nimba County. Angel Amy Johnson, daughter of the late Senator Prince Johnson, publicly expressed her support for Senator Kogar on the 'Nimba Future Generation' social media platform, a popular forum in the region. Referring to Kogar as 'our uncle,' she declared, 'the family tree can bend, but it can't break,' and wistfully remarked that her late father would have supported Kogar's bid for Vice President.

This development is anticipated to create a notable division within Nimba County, involving Senator Kogar, the MDR, and even Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung. Senator Kogar enjoys considerable backing from certain segments of the population, particularly the elderly, largely owing to his historical association with the influential late Senator Prince Johnson. Conversely, some supporters admire him for what they perceive as his willingness to cooperate with the government, despite having garnered substantial political support during his senatorial campaign. Efforts by Nimba's traditional chiefs and elders to mediate and reconcile the differences between Senator Kogar and Vice President Koung have, to date, remained unsuccessful, reaching a deadlock. Should these reconciliation attempts continue to falter, analysts suggest it could significantly diminish the Unity Party's prospects of securing a victory in Nimba during the 2029 general election.

Source: Reporting based on a recent party statement.