November 8, 2017 By Dusuba Koroma-Intern
Madam Femi Claudius-Cole wants voters to vote on issues
The lone female presidential candidate to contest the March 7, 2018 presidential elections, Femi Claudius-Cole, has urged and encouraged Sierra Leoneans to vote on issues and not on tribal or regional basis.
The Chief Matron at West End Clinic on Edwards Street in Freetown turned politician was yesterday speaking in an exclusive interview with Concord Times.
While she accepted being a political novice, she noted that, “I have the heart and passion to take Sierra Leone to another level.”
The leader and flag-bearer of the Unity Party encouraged her female counterparts to come onboard and join in her vision and passion to serve the country.
“I am yet to choose my running mate who I would like to be a male because of gender sensitivity,” she said.
Madam Femi Claudius-Cole was ordained by the one-month-old Unity Party as their standard bearer in the March 7, 2018 presidential elections.
As the only female presidential candidate in the race, she told Concord Times that the idea to lead the Unity Party came in early 2015.
The tall-looking, outspoken and fair in complexion female politician said it was time women started taking active role in politics instead of complaining and allowing their male counterparts to continue dominating the political space.
“At the initial stage, it seemed very frustrating as everybody I shared my views and aspirations with would scare me that it was going to be impossible for me to make a head-way as there are only two dominant political parties in Sierra Leone – the Sierra Leone People’s Party and the All People’s Congress,” she revealed.
She said she would not be despondent or overwhelmed, but would rather strive hard to see how much of an impact she would create.
She expressed frustration over the process leading to the final registration of her party with the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC).
“The struggle to transform the movement into a political party was a struggle I couldn’t imagine. There was time when I started questioning myself whether it was going to be done. But the whole process finalised a fortnight ago,” she said.
The Unity Party boss admitted that contesting against male counterparts would not be an easy feat, but noted that she was well prepared to face criticism from every corner of the country.
“I am ready and prepared to work hard and make Sierra Leone a better place,” she assured.