Nimba County – As the processes to Nimba County’s District #5 by-election continue, the race’s sole female candidate—Police Superintendent Madee Kamah Wongbay—now faces an impossible choice to either abandon her political aspirations or resign from the Liberia National Police (LNP). In Nimba County’s District 5 political history, Madam Madee Kamah Wongbay, a native daughter of the district presently stands out as the first and only female representative hopeful. If provided the elective space.
But the LNP has ordered Wongbay’s reassignment, citing a 117-day “Prolonged Absence Without Leave” (AWOL), just as she was gaining momentum in her campaign to become Nimba’s next representative.
Madee Kamah Wongbay is the only female among ten males who are seeking to represent Nimba County’s District #5 in the 55th legislature, if victorious in the impending by-election.
Wongbay, a ranking police officer, claims she followed proper procedures by taking approved sick leave from March to June 24 before requesting additional time to campaign. But the LNP’s Facebook statement on Monday declared her reassigned for “ineffectiveness,” presenting her with an ultimatum: resign or face suspension.
She narrated to our Nimba County correspondent this week, “In March, this year, I took a sick leave; because normally in our setting, everybody is entitled to a leave, whether sick leave, travel leave, or any kind of leave. She added: “Either you should go for the leave or you are entitled to it; and most of the time they (LNP head office) know that when people go on leave, they don’t compensate them with anything. So, they will generally accept because they consume the benefit. The benefit that one’s supposed to get when you go on leave.”
She further explained: “So, it took like three months for leave. I left at the end of last month, on the 24th of June. So, I went back, and I asked for an excuse for my political affair. They said no, since I just came from leave they will not grant my excuse to run my politics. I either choose to resign or relieve my post as duty. I said no as per the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia revised, I am a public servant, not a civil servant. I said, I am a public servant and I can contest for an elected position; I only needed to put in for excuse.”
Following tense exchanges, she decided to proceed with her registration process to partake in the by-election since the deadline was approaching. However, the LNP, in a release published on its official Facebook Page early Monday, accuses Madam Wongbay of Prolonged Absence Without Leave (AWOL) — causing her to face disciplinary action for allegedly neglecting her responsibilities and violating the terms of her employment.
The Liberia National Police noted that Superintendent Madee Kamah Wongbay has been re-assigned from her previous assignment due to her ineffectiveness and prolonged absence totaling 117 working days without approved leave. “Prolonged Absence Without Leave (AWOL) — Superintendent Madee K. Wongbay– Reassigned for ineffectiveness and prolonged absence totaling 117 days without approved leave,” the portion of the release outlining Madam Wongbay’s punishment reads.
The Lone Female Candidate
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In her professional journey, Madam Wongba’s career spans across various fields — Law Enforcement, a female police officer — contracting, and entrepreneurship. Known for her strong advocacy, Madee has championed the inclusion of women in the police force — taken bold steps to address social issues affecting youth, especially their involvement in community betterment. As a community change-maker, she promotes gender equality and works tirelessly to ensure that women and girls alongside boys are included in development and decision-making processes.
Her vision aims to become a transformative leader — uplifts others through education, training, and empowerment initiatives that enhance community participation and leadership opportunities. Madee Kamah Wongbay’s political journey in the district’s by-election reflects a commitment to social justice, inclusion, and the empowerment of marginalized voices — especially women and children.
The female candidate throws her hat into the race under the platform of the Liberia Rebuilding Party (REBUILDERS) — competing with ten male contenders.
The National Elections Commission of Liberia released preliminary list of aspirants who sofar expressed interest to contest for the District 5, Nimba County Representative seat shows a total of eleven registered aspirants — one female and ten males — including 3 independent aspirants, and 8 political parties’ aspirants.
NEC-Liberia preliminary list of aspirants, to enter the by-election race include Boris B. Barlea; Independent, Abraham Karkpo of Liberia Transformation Party (LTP), Kortor Sehwongbay Kwagrue running on the Movement for Democratic and Reconstruction (MDR) ticket, Takpor A. Mambia; Independent, and Augustus Karnay Menkoah of Vision for Liberia Transformation (VOLT).
Others are Miamen C-Borkoah of the Liberia National Union (LINU), Joseph Gondee Wehyee; Liberia People’s Democratic Party, Cole Williams; Independent, lone female Madee Kamah Wongbay; Liberia Rebuilding Party, Samson Zayean Wonnah; Democratic People’s Party of Liberia, and Jackson Soumie Yuo of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC).
Voters in District 5, Nimba County will go to the polls on August 12, 2025, from 8am – 6pm, to replace former representative now Senator Samuel Kogar. Kogar was recently elected as Senator of Nimba County.
Among the eleven registered aspirants, Madam Madee Kamah Wongbay, the lone female aspirant has vowed to defeat all ten men soundly and emerge as the first-ever female representative of District 5, Nimba County. Female participation in politics and winning in Nimba has historically been swept under the carpet — as female politicians suffered defeat and dire consequences.
This legacy, Madee Kamah Wongbay believes will serve as both an inspiration and a benchmark for her ambition and women’s political leadership in high-level decision-making. A grassroots mobilizer and seasoned humanitarian, she described her entry into the race as a response to a “clarion call” for competent and inclusive governance. “What a man can do, a woman can do even better,” she said confidently, pledging to bring a fresh, people-oriented agenda to Nimba D-5.
“Women are natural managers. Give a woman a house, and she’ll make it a home. I intend to make entire District 5 a model of inclusive governance; where youth and women empowerment, healthcare for pregnant women, education, and infrastructure take center stage.”
