Gaojia
Former Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs who represented his People's Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) party under the power-sharing arrangement with the governing All People's Congress, has left the party.
In his letter of resignation to the PMDC dated 23 April 2014 and effective instant, Steve Gaojia said: "After extensive consultations with my family, friends, political advisers, and well-wishers, I have decided to relinquish my membership and affiliation with the People's Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) Party."
Describing the decision as "one of the toughest" he had had to make in his political career, he said it was "sad to know that this once viable, alternative party for most progressives can no longer meet the political aspirations and needs of the majority of Sierra Leoneans, including my humble self."
Gaojia, who was minister from November 2011 - January 2013, told Politico that he intended to join one of the country's two main political parties but would not say whether that was the governing All People's Congress or the main opposition Sierra Leone People's Party.
Asked whether he had issues with the party's founding father and leader, Charles Margai, Gaojia said "I have no issues with him at all" nor was he angry with him. "He shaped my political career. I admired and respected him since my days as a student at Christ the King College in Bo and I still do admire and respect him" he said of Margai.
He went on that the reasons for the founding of the PMDC nine years ago remained valid "but the argument is difficult to make to voters".
Key among the reasons, he said, was the political divide in the country along tribal lines and lamented the "dwindling fortunes" of his now former party.
Referring to himself as a "freelance politician" the former Vice Chairman of the PMDC party in North America from 2007 - 2009, said he had "no preference between APC and SLPP" and that he would soon decide on "a viable option".
Reacting to the resignation of his former lieutenant, PMDC leader Charles Margai said he had not yet received any official information about it and hoped that he would be so informed on Friday which is when the party usually meets.
"However", Margai went on, "it is within his right to associate with whatever party he deems fit in as much the same way as it is within his right to resign there from"
(C) Politico 24/04/14
