By Mohamed Vandi in Kenema
Supporters of the All People’s Congress in Kenema Friday 11 January congratulated William Juana Smith on his reappointment as Minister of State, East. Kadiatu Kargbo, a staunch grassroots supporter of the All People’s Congress in Kenema said that they were at the minister’s residence to debunk claims made by the District Secretary General of the APC, Augustine Tarmoh that the party’s supporters in the District did not favour his reappointment. Kadiatu said they were grateful to President Ernest Bai Koroma for retaining the Minister who she said had worked very hard to maintain peace in the east, an area dominated by the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party. He described the attitude of the APC District Secretary as “mischievous and one that confronts the decision of the President”. Kadiatu maintained that Tarmoh was just one member of the executive and therefore his decision or condemnation had no place to militate against the Minister. “We are in the majority, not Tarmoh” she said, adding that every peaceful citizen of Kenema was happy about the reappointment of the Minister. The Resident Minister appreciated the efforts of his supporters. He said that as a “God-fearing leader”, he was prepared to work in the interest of the country. In an exclusive interview with Politico in Kenema, Juana smith said that the group that came to congratulate him was just one among several to do so. He said the people appreciated him for his “good job” which he vowed to continue doing. He said that even though Kenema was the stronghold of the SLPP, his leadership was able to secure some votes for his party. He referred to the District Secretary as “a detractor”. He said that throughout the last five years, no major incident took place in the eastern region to discredit his leadership. The Minister said he was not an SLPP sympathiser as some people had labelled him to be. “Every enlightened politician knows I am APC Smith. I suffered for the party and I shall ever remain to be APC” he declared.
