By Alpha Abu
The National Unity and Reconciliation Party (NURP) also known as
“Cut Across” has held its National Delegates Conference, with women assuming key executive positions in the party.
The two-day event held at Negus Nagas Complex at Grafton outside Freetown saw youthful Christiana Gbondo endorsed as Secretary-General of the party. Long-serving Secretary-General Pastor Tamba Gbekie and another challenger decided to step down in favour of Christiana.
The party’s Financial Secretary position went to another female candidate Ketura Alpha who went unopposed in the election for that position.
An amputee war victim Adama Suma from the Western Area was elected Women’s leader, defeating the incumbent Gloria Kpaka in a tight race, scoring 71 votes against the 69 votes by her challenger.
Dr. Jonathan Sandy had no contestant for the Chairman and Leader position of the NURP and was duly elected.
Shiaka Konneh retained his position as NURP National Organizing Secretary as he was unopposed in the election. He is to be deputized by Ibrahim Kumbassa who also went unopposed.
Alie Fofanah won the race for the position of National Youth Leader polling 71 votes. Long-serving youth leader Andrew Wonnie was defeated; securing only 63 votes. Victor T.J. Foday went unopposed as Public Relations Officer and Head of Media.
Various national and regional executive positions were filled in by candidates most of whom went unopposed in the polls.
The Electoral Commissioner for the voting process, Mohamed Fullei after the entire polling ended, thanked all those who participated in the process which he said manifested radical inclusion. He said the exercise was all-encompassing, a demonstration that everyone matters, and wished those voted into office, a successful tenure.
Officials from the Political Parties Regulations Commission, All Political Parties Association (APPA), Elections Observer Mission, Office of National Security, and Civil Society all witnessed the process, which was credited for being peaceful, transparent, and democratic.
The NURP leader later told journalists that his party was committed to addressing the harsh economic challenges affecting Sierra Leoneans if elected into office.
Dr.Sandy said their desire is to also empower especially the amputee victims of the country’s civil conflict. He gave a summary of NURP’s Manifesto which he said will also see the formulation of a National Policy on Education.
He also spoke about his party’s public priority policy that will also address the unity of the country saying the country is sharply divided along tribal and regional lines.
The new women’s leader told Politico that she will have to seek the overall support of women in the party so they can reach out to the populace, especially women.
Adama Suma said despite being an amputee she will do her best to prove her competence for the responsibility she’s been entrusted with.
Civil Society Activist Thomas Babadi in his address to the party delegates said he was impressed at the turnout and the inclusive nature of the party which he said was a true representation of the theme for the conference: “Overcoming the challenges of a divided nation’’.
He said a country not united will not attract direct foreign investment.
NURP was one of the parties that contested in the 2018 General Elections and it has over the years built a closer relationship with the amputees-mostly victims of Sierra Leone’s civil war from 1992-2002.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (14/04/23)
