Published: September 5, 2025
KAKATA, Margibi County — Political fault lines in Margibi County are deepening as fierce debates erupt over the county’s limited representation in appointed positions under the Unity Party (UP)-led government. At the center of the storm is former District 4 Representative Ben Fofana, now a commissioner at the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) and the UP’s vice chair for intergovernmental affairs.
Once regarded as one of Margibi’s strongest political power brokers, Fofana has suddenly become a lightning rod for criticism. Some Margibians — including several of his long-time allies — accuse him of failing to secure jobs and political influence for the county’s supporters in President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration.
However, Jimmy Sankaituah, a former UP representative candidate for District 4, has stepped forward to defend Fofana, describing the attacks as politically motivated and rooted in personal rivalries rather than policy failures.
“Fofana is a victim of disrespect and internal sabotage,” Sankaituah said, accusing some Margibians of working deliberately to weaken the former lawmaker’s influence at the Executive Mansion.
According to Sankaituah, Fofana made repeated efforts during the post-election transition to advocate for Margibians but was undermined by competing political blocs within the county. He referenced a period after the 2023 elections when, according to him, a “so-called godfather” was elevated within the party to rival Fofana’s standing — a move he believes deepened divisions and weakened Margibi’s collective bargaining power.
Sankaituah recalled interviews he granted on Radio Kakata in February and March 2025, where he warned that internal rifts would jeopardize the county’s representation at the national level. He compared Margibi’s fractured leadership to other counties that have successfully mobilized political unity to secure influence. In Bong County, Senator Prince Kermue Moye consolidated support to land key appointments for his people, while in Grand Bassa, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence effectively leveraged her political base to strengthen her county’s voice in the Boakai government.
“In Margibi, everyone wanted to prove they had influence instead of consolidating leadership,” Sankaituah lamented. “Where there is no leader, frustration is your reward.”
He urged Margibians to reconcile their differences and rally behind Fofana to rebuild trust with the Unity Party leadership and the Executive. Without such unity, he warned, the county risks being sidelined in national decision-making.
Buway Urges Calm as Tensions Rise
Adding his voice to the debate, former Margibi Superintendent John Buway and Rescue Mission 2023 Campaign Manager, expressed concern over growing frustration among supporters who feel marginalized despite the county’s strong role in President Boakai’s electoral victory.
Former Supt Buway
Buway acknowledged the trending social media outrage over perceived neglect but cautioned against public infighting, warning that such divisions could further weaken the county’s bargaining power.
“We are very concerned about the blame game that has started on social media,” Buway said. “This is not going to help us in our quest to push Margibi’s case. Our opponents will be happy to see us divided.”
Buway praised supporters of the Rescue Mission campaign for delivering Margibi “twice” during the 2023 elections and suggested that national leaders may have underestimated the county’s contribution, which he believes could explain the limited attention Margibi has so far received.
While acknowledging the importance of lobbying for job opportunities, Buway stressed that Margibians should also focus on the county’s broader development needs. He cited priorities such as rebuilding the C.H. Rennie Hospital, improving access to education for children in Firestone and rural communities, addressing persistent salary disparities in the public sector, and tackling day-to-day bread-and-butter issues affecting ordinary citizens.
“This administration is making efforts, but more needs to be done,” Buway said. “We must keep pushing collectively, without resorting to dirty politics that only pull us apart.”
Buway expressed optimism that President Boakai will eventually recognize and reward Margibians who played critical roles in his election but stressed that unity among local leaders and stakeholders is essential for the county to secure greater representation and development.
The Liberian Investigators that gathered that the brewing political storm in Margibi underscores a larger challenge that has haunted the county for years: fractured leadership. While counties like Nimba, Bong and Grand Bassa have leveraged strong, centralized political voices to secure key government appointments, competing factions and personal rivalries have diluted Margibi’s influence.
Political analysts predict that the situation of persistent disunity will leave Margibi vulnerable in national politics. Despite delivering overwhelming support for President Boakai, the county finds itself struggling to convert electoral loyalty into tangible influence and opportunities.
As the debate intensifies, Margibi stands at a crossroads. Whether its leaders reconcile to form a united front or allow divisions to deepen will determine not just the county’s representation but also its ability to drive development priorities under the Boakai administration.
For now, all eyes remain on Fofana — once a symbol of Margibi is post-election political hope i, now a central figure in a battle that could shape the county’s future for years to come or could grossly diminished his influence in Margibi.
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