Sierra Leone News: Yumkella’s supporters call for him to leave SLPP

Politics

Regional executive members and supporters of Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella have called on him [Yumkella] to leave the SLPP, saying they are tired of the situation in the Party especially after the Court ruling. “SLPP is dying… we want to send the message that the Party has been taken down into the gutter. The SLPP has nothing valuable to present to the people of this country… Enough is enough. We want KKY to go now… SLPP is in the graveyard because the current executive does not value delegates,” said Chairman Johnson. These were statements made by executive members of different regions of the SLPP at a conference held at the Kona Lodge where over 150 supporters of Kandeh Yumkella also stated their desire to leave the Party. In the ruling they explained it was also stated that “the lower level elections in all other constituencies shall remain valid and undisputed”. Speaker after speaker explained reasons why they are calling for Kandeh Yumkella to leave the SLPP. One of the reasons they gave; according to the orders of the Court on 5 June 2017, all SLPP lower level executive elections from the 26 November 2016 and 3 December, in the 39 Constituencies be declared null and void and should be re-run. Certain members feel aggrieved since the executive and the National Executive Council of the Party has ordered for the re-run of all elections starting with zonal to constituency elections. Chairman Johnson of Western Area said the Party is founded on a key value built on respect of the rule of law and tolerance for each other. They used to believe in the ideology of their forefathers and it is not a social club. Johnson explained that even though the term of office of executive has come to an end, they have failed to adhere to the rules of the Court, “but we are not going to participate in their elections”. Aminata Kamara, Women’s Leader Port Loko, said they should forget about SLPP and focus on something new that will take them to State House come 2018. They said they need Dr. Kandeh Yumkella to go with them, vowing that “we will never wear green but will move forward to another direction and taking Kandeh along”. Statements were also made by executive members including; Adama Turay, Aminata Kamara, Haja Kadie Bangura, Marie Boi-Kamara, Mohamed Koroma and Ahmed Gbindi, all echoing the desire to leave the SLPP. The National Deputy Chairman of the Party, Prince Harding, said, “It is the democratic right of Kandeh Yumkella if he decides to leave the Party. This will not affect the Party winning the 2018 elections because there are more new members that are joining the Party now. He said the Court gave orders that all zonal elections within those constituencies should be conducted and these lower level elections will form the delegate list for the convention. Adding, “Whatever way they interpret the ruling they should conduct the elections.” BM/28/6/17 By Betty Milton Thursday June 29, 2017.

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