Nimba County – The lone female candidate contesting the August 12 Representative by-election in Nimba County’s Electoral District #5, Madee Kamah-Wongbay, has raised concerns over what she described as politically motivated attacks against her and her supporters.
By : P Uriah Suah /suahuriah86@gmail.com
During the official signing ceremony of the Farmington River Declaration in Beeplay , Kamah-Wongbay alleged that her campaign equipment, including a public address amplifier, was set ablaze by supporters of a rival candidate Kortor in Gbarlorplay, a town in the Buu-Yao belt.
“I stand here today to bring attention to a grave issue. Violence against women in politics is still happening,” she said. “Kortor, please advise your supporters. Yesterday, in Gbarlorplay, my amplifier was burned by your people. The women were ready to fight, but I intervened and calmed the situation because I know the responsibility I carry.”
She warned that such intimidation tactics threaten the peaceful conduct of the by-election and risk undermining the democratic process. “If this continues, we could bring this entire election process to a halt. They should stop trying to extinguish the fire in me. We’re here to serve the people, not to fight one another.”
The Representative hopeful made a commitment to peace and non-violence, distancing herself from any retaliatory actions. “I am a peacemaker today, tomorrow, and forever. My record, my DNA, has nothing to do with violence. If you check, they will tell you I’m a police officer by training, not a violent politician,” she stated.
Mandam Kamah-Wongbay called on the relevant authorities, including the National Elections Commission and security apparatus, to ensure a safe and fair electoral process for all candidates, especially women, and urged her fellow contenders to discourage their supporters from acts of violence.
The Farmington Declaration, a peace pledge signed by political actors to uphold a violence-free election, was being reaffirmed at the ceremony in Beeplay ahead of the highly anticipated August 12 polls.
Kamah-Wongbay is the only female candidate among several men vying for the district’s representative seat, a reality that, she suggests, may be contributing to the hostility directed at her campaign.
