By Politico staff writer
Sierra Leone’s First Lady Fatima Maada Bio has led a reconciliation tour within the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) after their delegate’s conference in Bo last year. The reconciliation tour started with party stalwarts in the Bo district.
The First lady admonished the party membership that elections within the party are over and that the need to come together to win the next general elections is what is of importance at the moment.
She noted that the party is bigger than any member and any grievance. She therefore called on all to put their differences aside as the leader of the party President Julius Maada Bio wants the party to be united so they could defeat their main opponent, the All People's Congress (APC).
She said she needs support from other members of the party, especially the women’s wing. “I cannot do everything alone. I want people who can deputize me. You will not see me coming alone. Anytime you see me, you will also see the national women's leader and her deputy", Mrs. Bio said.
In her statement, the newly elected Women's Leader Hawa Foray appealed for party unity. She said that there was no loser in the just concluded delegate’s conference as they're one people. She assured the first lady that they will drive the campaign in the country and ensure they meet even the market women in their business places and that they will take the party messages to all voters.
Dr. Prince Alex Harding, National Chairman of the SLPP thanked the party for bringing him back as their Chairman. He described reconciliation as a way of resolving conflict and viewed that what happened recently a Democracy where people were given the opportunity to vote for their chosen candidate. Dr. Harding said that immediately the election ended, Alex Bonapha and Momodu Koroma congratulated him.
He said that he once lost to the current Chief Minister, Jacob Jusu Saffa in 2005 but that it did not make him quit the party. He also called for unity and reconciliation if they should achieve their goal of winning the general election next year.
The Resident Minister South who chaired the ceremony, Mohamed E.K Ali said SLPP will continue to win elections and stay united, noting the high number of participants at the meeting as a clear manifestation of that unity.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (02/02/22)
