SLPP district chairman, 22 others defect to APC

Whilst members of other parties are bracing themselves to face the upcoming local elections, the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) is surprisingly taking a downward turn as many of its committed members are defecting to the ruling All People’s Congress.
Addressing party supporters at the branch office in Kono, the deputy district chairman said it did not come as surprise to hear that the district chairman and 22 other councillors have defected to the APC.
He said if Judas of olden days could betray Jesus, then there was nowhere in the world where people couldn’t betray others.
Mr Pimbi said the SLPP party executive in Kono was ready to face the July Local government elections and that no amount of weapon or intimidation would force them to back out.
He however added that, “the [SLPP] executive is prepared to award symbols to those who are popular and efficient”.
Responding the party’s district secretary said all interested candidates should get prepared by April 8 which is the deadline for the submission of names to the National Electoral Commission.
Mr M.A.T. Baryoh warned members to be careful and conscious whenever they were making choices amongst candidates.
Reaching the district chairman for his comments, he said he was not partisan but that he was always ready to take the direction that was best for Kono district. Mr Sahr E. Tamba said though he had the intension of contesting the upcoming local elections, he was yet to decide which of the party to go along with. He said as a district chairman he had no right to declare his position until he formally resigned his post. “Let the people stop speculating. When the time comes, they will know my position.” Mr Tamba stated and claimed to have a lot of unfinished projects in the council and that until those projects were fully implemented, he would never be happy.
When asked if he was the one who persuaded colleague councillors to desert the SLPP, Mr Tamba vehemently denied the allegation claiming that the councillors were matured people and that he had no right to decide for them.