Saturday, December 7, 2024
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Sierra Leone

SLPP is Recovering from Political Hypochondria

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Addressing executive members of the party, aspirants, delegates, supporters and well wishers present at the ceremony, the chairman Ronald Gidwani Esq, said the North has played a vital role in the formation of the SLPP, and has also produced prominent people who have ruled the country well.

The chairman disclosed that Mr. Timbo decided to do his declaration in his home town in order to get the blessing of his elders, a belief he said is paramount in any successful life.

Speaking further, Mr. Gidwani said the current population census done in Sierra Leone has indicated that majority of the population is in the north.

“We have come to a conclusion that in order to win the election we should first break the record of the north,” he stated very firmly.

“Sierra Leone People Party (SLPP) needs a vibrant leader like Mr. Timbo to interrupt that section and take the hot seat in 2018.”

One of the aspirants also vying to lead the SLPP, Dr. Francis Lahai, described the declaration of Mr. Timbo as an historic event which will not only stop at Rokulan but will also remember and marked in the party calendar.

Mr. Lahai said everyone have to appreciate the fact that SLPP has worked hard to transform the country which has been overturned by certain people for their selfish interests.

He further stated that Sierra Leone is losing control of its economy because leaders are not able to manage their spending.

“Timbo has worked hard to promote development in this country, and I think he is the right man to for the 2018 elections,” he concluded.

Another aspirant, Alie Kabba, disclosed that he met Mr. Timbo when Sierra Leone was a one party state governed by late Siaka P Stevens.

He said at a very young stage, Mr. Timbo worked with others to change the one party state to multi-party state.

“We need a leader that will embrace the totality of the country,” he said.

“Timbo was a seasoned activist who has criss-crossed the country engaging and mobilizing people who are marginalized.”

Alie Kabba said Sierra Leone is in a critical stage because the present government has destabilized all what the SLPP has put together.

“Timbo is the fighter of 99 percent of what the present government are signing contract for,” he said in a firm mood.

“We need someone that has demonstrated leadership to people in need to shape this country, and in order to achieve this we are going to team up for SLPP to take leadership in 2018.”

Making his statement, the next aspirant, John Oponjo Benjamin, said at Rokulan people have clearly demonstrated that the SLPP is still alive and kicking.

“Forming an alliance, we have noticed that the people of Sierra Leone are going through a lot of constraints,” he stressed.

“The northern region is united when we talk about political pluralism and with what I have seen Alpha Timbo is the right man for the grand show.”

The fourth aspirant, Munda Rogers, said he is happy to be a part of Hon Timbo’s declaration. He said he and his wife fully supports him which is why they choose to come to Rokulan, amidst their busy schedule. He wished Hon Timbo well.

Earlier, in his statement, SLPP National Chairman Chief Somano Kapen categorically stated that a good leader will maintain people support if he is able to address their needs.

Taking a look at history, Chairman Kapen said SLPP is the oldest party besides the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa, which has a national character.

He said in 1951, all paramount chiefs, commissioners and other well-wishers carried earth to Bo, the official district of the party to nurse the palm tree which stands today as their party’s symbol.

Chief Kapen further revealed that after taking a close consideration on the SLPP agenda, it is clear to many that Alpha Osman Timbo has the necessary attributes to become leader and president of this country in 2018.

He assured all present that if given the opportunity to rule, they will in turn give the utmost respect the people deserve.

He admonished Mr. Timbo to pray very hard in order for the dream he has for this country to become a reality.

In his keynote address, Mr. Timbo appreciated everyone that has been with him in his campaign.

He said he joined the SLPP out of frustration because of a relative who was killed right before his face at Rokulan.

“I chose the SLPP because of its motto (one country one people); and because I wanted to see complete unity between the regions.

Speaking further the SLPP presidential aspirant said he has the conviction to take Sierra Leone to a higher height and that his party has the greater human resource than any other party.

He disclosed that two years ago, he came to this decision, because he knows how to do it.

“Our region here has produced many notables -Thaimu Bangura and Eddie Turay, among several others,” he said.

Mr. Timbo in continuation said he believe if given the chance, he will surely make it.

“Yes, others have failed but I believe that one day the presidency of this nation is going to come from this place,” he said with conviction.

He said by going through the list of aspirants who have spoken, will tell that SLPP has a team.

“I am not someone who says that if it is not me then no one else,” he said.

“I know and appreciate the gains that SLPP has made in the south and the east and with it being our stronghold; we now have the task of taking on the APC in their own stronghold here in the north.”

He also maintained that when he becomes leader of the party, many things will change.

“We need a candidate who under any circumstances can be voted in as a substitute to the current APC government, and I am one such candidate,” he said with a smile.

“We need a leadership that will accelerate development because we have slowed down for long.

He concluded that he will make sure he utilizes his knowledge so when he arrives he will get victory.

 

Other party members included former Minister of Education Science and Technology, Dr. Alpha Wurie; the regional coordinator north, Simeon Koroma, and Chief Ndomahina, all made valuable contributions during the ceremony.

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