By Alpha Abu
President Julius Maada Bio says the Alliance forged between the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) and the opposition National Grand Coalition (NGC) is “to promote national cohesion’’ and ‘’transformational development’’ of the country.
Addressing thousands of supporters of both political parties after the two leaders formally signed the ‘Progressive Alliance’ document on Sunday 23rd April at the Bintumani Hotel, in Freetown, he confirmed the alliance has practically endorsed him as the sole Presidential Candidate for the June 24th General Elections.
This means Dr. Yumkella won’t be contesting for the presidency under the NGC ticket and has instead shifted his support and those of his supporters over to the incumbent.
Months leading to the alliance, the NGC leader has cozied up to the SLPP, making complimentary statements, and was seen in the company of President Bio in several instances.
There were telling signs that something more concrete was brewing, and the alliance has finally put to rest all the speculations surrounding the recent hobnobbing involving the two political leaders.
President Bio in his address confirmed that “for the past several months both leaderships of the SLPP and NGC have engaged in extensive discussions rooted in the desire to form an alliance that is strong, strategic and transparent’’.
The President spoke of the numerous achievements of his government in various sectors in his first term and said “We cannot change an experienced pilot when the plane is mid-air’’.
He praised his alliance partner Dr. Yumkella for his ‘’contributions as an effective parliamentarian and a great partner in our development efforts’’
On the simmering tension in the country ahead of the polls, President Bio said: ‘’We cannot let political or ethnic differences divide us to the point of conflict’’.
Dr. Yumkella in his statement dwelt on the need for peace and praised President Bio for putting a premium on human capital development and stressed the alliance will lead to the development of Sierra Leone.
At exactly 17:26, the two leaders literally went to work to seal the pact, applying their signatures on the document, each holding a copy of the document for photos, followed by a firm handshake, all lasting 3 minutes.
All the said actions were greeted by deafening applause from throngs of supporters of the two parties inside the hall, and those in the lobby watching proceedings on a giant screen.
A veteran independent Journalist who was watching the scene from the Bintumani balcony said ‘’it’s a very historical event, whilst some women seated nearby shouted “no run-off’’ to indicate their belief that the team-up will secure overwhelming victory for President Bio at the first ballot.
Earlier the Women’s Leader of NGC, Fatima Tejan –Sillah in her statement described the alliance as a fight for the betterment of the country and that all must ‘’trust the process’’. She said they are tired of the verbal abuse of women and that they do not want ‘’vengeful leaders’’ anymore in Sierra Leone.
Representing the SLPP Women’s Leader, Isatu Timbo thanked President Bio for supporting the 30% quota for women in elective office and assured the president of their readiness to vote him in again.
The NGC was formed in 2017 by senior political figures who were predominantly members of the SLPP. Dr. Yumkella had vied for the SLPP Presidential Candidacy and lost. He and other notable figures including Dr. Andrew Keilli and the late Dr. Albert Joe Demby- former Vice President, went on to form NGC after Bio swept the votes for the SLPP Presidential ticket.
Dr. Yumkella was the Leader of NGC in parliament- his party had four seats in the house. They were in control of the Kambia District Council and had 19 Councillors in the districts of Kambia, Falaba, and Koinadugu all in the North of Sierra Leone.
NGC was the fourth largest party in the Sierra Leone Parliament which formally dissolved yesterday.
Most of NGC’s grassroots supporters were originally SLPP supporters that followed Dr. Yumkella after he quit the party to form his own. His father was one of the founding members of the SLPP formed in 1951.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (26/04/23)
