December 23, 2016 By Mohamed Massaquoi from Kenema
Delegates of the opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party, (SLPP) on Wednesday openly declared for one of the aspirants for the flag- bearer position of the party, Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, in the eastern district town of Kenema
The declaration which took place at the Kenema City Council Hall was presided over by Mayor Joseph Keifala, District Council Chairman, Dr. Senesi Mansaray, SLPP District Chairman, Moriba Koroma and a host of other dignitaries.
From constituency nine, ten, eleven to fifteen, delegates both men and women came in front of the gathering to surrender their support for Bio, who they said would liberate them from the current ‘political predicament’.
Mayor Keifala said they were pleased to welcome their candidate to the city of Kenema and that for the past weeks they have conducted various lover level elections to get the appropriate delegates even though in difficult circumstances where a lot of people contested for various positions within the party.
He added that despite all the challenges, they have resolved their disputes which was the more reason they were at the ceremony to present their delegate list to their leader, Maada Bio.
“We have now resolved our differences and would work together in the interest of peace and unity.Kenema district has been challenged but the good news is that we are now together,” he said.
SLPP district chairman, Moriba Koroma, said they did not have money to give to Bio as Christmas but to present to him a list of delegates who would definitely vote for him to be the flag- bearer of the party and subsequently the president of Sierra Leone.
“We are doing this because we want to set the pace for others to follow. We want to tell our friends and colleagues from other districts that SLPP is hosted here and we always take the lead on major matters. I will call the delegates one after the other to come and surrender their support. All of them are doing this with free will and we are not forcing anybody to come and declare for Bio,” he said, adding that they were grateful for the leadership Bio has demonstrated over the past years and that they would continue with their support to Bio.
In his response, Bio thanked the people of Kenema for the support over the years and that the declaration was not a surprise to him as the people of Kenema have always showed passion and respect for him and the party.
He said before now Kono had been leading on the issues of SLPP but things dramatically changed with a lot of zest from party members, adding that he would do his best to let the people of Kenema know that he was pleased with their support.
“I will promise you that when I become the flagbrearer and president of this country,I will ensure that the best is for the district. As it is now, I know one of the major challenge is the roads but I don’t want to worry about it even though it is embarrassing. The declaration today is in advance of the national delegates’ conference which national Executive Council have agreed it should be in Kenema next year. I want you all to, maintain the peace and allow others to come. Give them the space because peace and unity is necessary for our victory come 2018.We know this party for friendly relationship and cultural dance. This I am sure will be seen in the forthcoming delegates’ conference,” he concluded.