Mining Engineer Stakes Claim to Warlord's Senate Seat in Nimba County

By Uriah Suah, Nimba Fellow
 

GANTA, Liberia — In the verdant highlands of Nimba County, where the legacy of Liberia's civil war still casts long shadows, seven candidates are vying to replace the late Sen. Prince Y. Johnson, the notorious warlord-turned-politician whose death left a power vacuum in a region he dominated for decades.

Among them stands R. Matenokay Tingban, 61, a mining engineer and former legislator who frames himself as both a guardian of Johnson's political legacy and a harbinger of a more technocratic future for Nimba.

"We need to protect his legacy," Tingban said in a recent interview with The Stage Media, referring to Johnson, whose execution of President Samuel Doe in 1990 was videotaped and whose subsequent transformation into a powerful senator and kingmaker defined Liberian politics for a generation. "But when leaders leave, leaders will come in. And when other leaders stop, another person will have to build on it."

Born in Glehyee Zorpea Town in Lower Nimba to a traditional chief, Tingban brings notable political experience to the race. He previously  served  as representative for Nimba District #9 from 2012 to 2018 and more recently as deputy minister for operations at the Ministry of Internal Affairs under former President George Weah until his resignation in 2023.

In a country where personality often trumps policy, Tingban positions himself as an uncommon blend of traditional authority, technical expertise, and legislative experience. Yet he faces the delicate challenge of acknowledging Johnson's influence while proposing his vision.

"There's a need for us to be together. There's no need to have differences," said Tingban, emphasizing reconciliation as a cornerstone of his campaign. This message resonates in Nimba, a county that has historically maintained a complex relationship with the broader Liberian state.

Tingban's professional background offers a stark contrast to his predecessor's military origins. After graduating at the top of his high school class in 1985, he earned a scholarship to study mining engineering at the University of Liberia. His subsequent career included positions at mining company Manor River Resources and as director of mines at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, where he was twice honored as "best director of the year."

Development challenges weigh heavily on Nimba County despite its rich mineral resources. Tingban argues that residents have not adequately benefited from these assets and promises to negotiate better terms.

"A lot of countries have been benefiting from our resources," he said. "We who are accommodating that, we need to benefit from it."

In a county where agriculture remains central to livelihoods, Tingban highlights his agricultural initiatives, including the establishment of the Zoning–Mini-Farming Cooperative, named after his mother, which provides rice processing facilities to local farmers.

While pushing for economic development, Tingban also emphasizes his traditional connections, noting efforts to equip chiefs with ceremonial regalia during his time as a representative properly.

"I'm traditionally connected. I'm connected to the young people. I'm connected to the women," Tingban said, articulating the comprehensive approach he believes is necessary for effective representation.

One notable challenge for all candidates is addressing the future of Nimba University, established by the late Senator Johnson. Tingban proposes negotiating with the central government to ensure the institution's sustainability.

Former colleagues describe Tingban as someone who "loves voluntary work" and "division of labor," suggesting an administrative approach that differs from Johnson's more centralized leadership style.

The by-election occurs at a pivotal moment for Nimba, as residents grapple with Johnson's complex legacy. Johnson, who led a rebel faction during Liberia's civil war before becoming a powerful senator and self-styled godfather of Nimba politics, leaves an indelible mark.

Tingban rejects characterizations of Nimba as a "slaughter gate," a term he says has been used by political opponents since Johnson's death.

"I refer to myself, from a Nimba standpoint, that when you come here, you will see the iron gate in Nimba country, that Nimba will not be seen as a slaughter gate," he said, invoking the county's historical nickname as "the iron gate of Liberia" for its mineral wealth.

As Nimba voters prepare to make their choice, Tingban represents a candidate who acknowledges the county's complicated past while attempting to chart a path toward regional development and integration into the broader Liberian state—an evolution that many observers see as crucial for both Nimba's and Liberia's continued stability.

The by-election, scheduled for later this month, will determine whether voters embrace this vision or opt for one of the six other candidates seeking to fill the considerable void left by Johnson's passing.

                             This is the first of the seven candidates; we will publish the others