Nimba County Political Godfather is Gone..
By: Alphanso G. Kalama
Nimba County Senator and political leader of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), Prince Yormie Johnson, has died, a family member confirmed to The People Newspaper. According to credible sources within the family, Johnson slipped into a coma before being pronounced dead at Hope for Women International Hospital in Paynesville.
Johnson, born on July 6, 1952, was a polarizing figure in Liberian politics and history. He rose to prominence during the First Liberian Civil War as a rebel leader who played a pivotal role in the capture, torture, and execution of President Samuel Doe in 1990. A former officer in the Armed Forces of Liberia, Johnson initially aligned himself with Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) before forming his own faction, the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL), due to a rift with Taylor.
After the disbandment of the INPFL in 1992, Johnson spent years in exile in Nigeria, where he converted to Christianity and reconciled with the Doe family. He returned to Liberia in 2004 following the conclusion of the Second Liberian Civil War and swiftly entered politics.
Johnson was elected to the Senate in 2005, representing Nimba County, and was re-elected in 2014 and 2023. His political journey was marked by controversy, including his placement on a 2009 Truth and Reconciliation Commission list recommending he be barred from public office for 30 years due to his association with warring factions. Johnson dismissed the recommendation, and a subsequent Supreme Court ruling rendered the bans unconstitutional.
Over the years, Johnson founded and led multiple political parties, including the National Union for Democratic Progress (NUDP) and the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR). His presidential bids in 2011 and 2017 were unsuccessful, but his influence as a kingmaker in Liberian politics remained significant.
In December 2021, Johnson faced U.S. Treasury sanctions over allegations of political corruption, including claims of vote-selling. Despite this, he remained a powerful figure, representing Nimba County and maintaining a strong political base.
Most recently, Johnson withdrew his support for President George Weah and the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), citing dissatisfaction with Nimba County’s representation in government appointments. In 2022, he resigned as head of the MDR, passing the leadership to Senator Jeremiah Koung.
Johnson’s death marks the end of a controversial yet impactful career in Liberia’s political and historical landscape. Further details on the cause of death and funeral arrangements are awaited.
