By Prince J Musa in Kenema
Supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Kenema district have on the 29th April 2021 protested over the conduct of the party’s lower level elections.
The protesting supporters took to major streets in Kenema and then to the office of the Resident Minister East with placards calling for a re-run of the lower level elections in the affected constituency in Kenema.
Presenting their case to the Resident Minister East, Andrew Ansu Fatorma, the leader of the protesters who is also vying for the district chairmanship of the party, former councilor Anthony Fonnie said they were protesting to make known that all the constituencies that were petitioned are demanding a rerun, adding that they have written letters of complaint to the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) explaining that due process was not followed.
He claimed PPRC has probed into all the petition cases and has made rulings on those matters with recommendations that all the affected constituencies are to do the elections again, but said since the pronouncement by the PPRC, they have waited for three weeks now with no word from the party chairman on the new dates for the polls.
“We don’t want any other thing but for elections to be conducted that will solve the problem of Kenema politics,” he said.
He said they believe in the leadership of PPRC but that there are few people that do not want peace in the district.
Addressing the protesters, Minister Fatorma thanked the protesters for the peaceful expression displayed within the confines of the law and said it would have been an unfortunate if the protest would have led to riotous scenes.
”I’m happy that you didn’t cause any mayhem for peaceful people, which would have sent bad signals to the party’s image,’’ he said.
He told the protesters that they have right to express their grievances in a peaceful atmosphere and stated that the decision taken by PPRC which is an established institution by government cannot be reversed and should be respected.
“I want you all to remain peaceful and I want to assure you that your concerns will reach the president”, the minister entreated the group.
The regional coordinator East for ONS Sahr P Mafinda in his reaction said they will engage the authorities concerned and will appropriately channel the concerns of the people to maintain peace in the region.
He promised they will do their best to see that things go accordingly and advised that they wait for the actual process of addressing their concerns to commence.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online 30/04/21
