By Jamesetta D. Williams
MONROVIA–Senator Samuel Kogar has made an absorbing disclosure about his preparedness to accept an offer for vice presidential candidate if approached by a political leader, at the time he said he is very close to Alternative National Congress (ANC) Political Leader Alexander Cummings.
While both of them have not made any official declaration to the effect – Kogar did not detail the nature of their relationship, and Cummings is yet to speak out – political observers say such closeness and association portends apparent consideration of him amid the 2029 electoral showdown.
Senator Kogar on OK FM did not hide his inner thoughts and convictions about his political sojourn, saying he would handle any such political proposal with transparency and would not engage in secret negotiations.
“If tomorrow an opposition political leader approaches me and asks me to be a running mate, I won’t immediately say no,” Kogar said. “The first thing I will do is inform the Vice President and the people of Nimba. I will go to him personally and say, ‘This person has asked me to be a running mate.’ I will never do anything behind anyone’s back.”
What he said he would not do is to conceal such information from Vice President Jeremiah Koung, insisting that he would first consult the Vice President and the people of Nimba before making any decision.
The senator said his position is rooted in what he believes would be in the interest of Nimba County.
“If a Nimba citizen becomes Vice President, Nimba benefits. If I become Vice President, Nimba benefits. The vice presidency remains with Nimba,” he added.
Kogar, however, rejected suggestions that he is actively seeking the country’s second-highest office, saying his focus remains on serving the Liberian people.
“I’m not campaigning for the position or blowing my own trumpet,” he said. “If anyone considers me, it should be because of my conduct and my relationship with the Liberian people—not because I promoted myself.”
The lawmaker also disclosed that he recently met with Alternative National Congress (ANC) political leader Alexander B. Cummings after receiving an invitation to discuss working together.
According to Kogar, the discussion did not include any proposal for a vice presidential ticket.
“Cummings invited me, I visited him, and we discussed working together,” he said. “He never proposed anything to me. He only said that whenever he travels across the country, I should be part of the conversation and the tour. I agreed, but I haven’t even done that yet.”
Addressing speculation about former President George Weah, Kogar said Weah had never discussed a vice presidential arrangement with him.
“The only person who has never discussed anything like that with me is former President George Weah,” Kogar said. “The only time I went to his house was when it caught fire.”
Kogar also reaffirmed his commitment to the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), dismissing rumors that he intends to leave the party.
“Finally, I will not leave the MDR. I think they will get tired with me, but I will remain there,” he stated.
Commenting on his relationship with Vice President Koung, Kogar said, “If the current Vice President believes we can work together, that’s fine. If he doesn’t trust me, I don’t care.”
The senator further emphasized that whatever political decisions he makes in the future would be transparent and made in consultation with key stakeholders.
“I won’t do anything secretly or dishonestly,” he said. “I know some people will disagree with my political decisions, and that’s normal.”
During the interview, Kogar also reasserted his description of himself as the “Godfather of Nimba,” highlighting what he believes is his continued political influence in the county.
His remarks are expected to fuel further political speculation as discussions surrounding possible alliances and presidential tickets ahead of Liberia’s 2029 general elections continue.
Mr. Cummings unsuccessfully ran for president on two different occasions – 2017 and 2023, coming a distance away from the winners, choosing Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine as running mate in 2023.
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