Constituency 20 in Gbense chiefdom where Vice President Sam Sumana contested the last general elections and failed, have officially been asked by their traditional rulers to recognise and endorse the Vice President and the APC party.
Speaking to the inhabitants, deputy speaker of the chiefdom said it has got to a point wherein he should call his people together and tell them exactly which direction they should go come the next local elections.
Mr. A.M.Kamanda said supporting the ruling party to win the local elections, means development would come to the district.
He therefore urged all section chiefs, town chiefs and the youths to unanimously support and campaign for the All Peoples Congress Party. Mr. Kamanda also made special appeal to the various tribal heads in the chiefdom to do and go according to how they have been instructed.
Responding, the deputy speaker II said this is the era wherein the people of Gbense are expected to speak the language of the APC, and not SLPP any longer. Mr. S.M.Gborie however called on all previous councillors both for the district and the city council to gently step down in their own interest.
“We elevated you during the SLPP reign, now we want you to step down and support the new party we want”.
One of the candidates Sahr Andrew Mbayoh who had already stepped down in order to appease the demand of the chief, said he had wholeheartedly agreed to go by what the chief had said and that he would support the APC all the way.
Mr. Mbayoh further reiterated that colleague councillors who had made up their minds are yet to present themselves to the chief but only that the time is too early. Statements from Mr. Sahr Sessie Gbenda, contestant for the post of the mayor and other stakeholders in the chiefdom, also had their views heard on the issue.
M.A. Baryoh the Secretary General for the SLPP in Kono, said the move by the chiefs to untimely start campaigning to the people, is a gross violation of the electoral law and total abuse to the rule of democracy.
He said the APC party will get the shock of its life in this local elections.
Mr. Mbayoh said most of the people of Gbense are unwilling to accept the demands of the Chiefs.
But because of fear of intimidation, they have been subjected to undue pressure.
He also said that there are plans to suppress foreigners who might refuse to support them and also intend to come down hard on any independent candidate who could pose a challenge to any one of the candidates of their choice, more especially the female independent candidates.
By Jon-bu in Kono
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