By Saio Marrah
Former Presidential Candidate of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) Party, Kandeh Kolleh Yumkell (PHD) has told crowds of supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party during his formal declaration in rejoining the party that he has come home.
The event took place at the SLPP headquarters in Freetown on Saturday 14 October 2023.
He said he decided to join President Julius Maada Bio for the June 24 General elections campaign because he wanted to help the president in developing and unifying the country, and that his return to the party is a continuation of that process.
Assuring the party members he said, “When I say yes, I mean yes.”
Dr.Yumkell reassured that he had no regret over his return to the party as he described his action as “with my body and soul.”
He also pointed out that his decision was not persuaded by anyone, but by the Grace of God.
As the SLPP party has won the election, he called everyone to help change the hardship of the country by serving as a watchdog for the government.
He also encouraged the party members to talk to everyone including the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) in developing Sierra Leone.
First Lady, Fatima Bio, spoke of how Yumkella before the just concluded election said he will not join the SLPP, but will support President Bio in helping to fix the problems facing the country.
She also narrated how President Bio and Dr.Yumkella share a common background as sons of Paramount Chiefs. The first lady also expressed her delight over Yumkella’s return to the party.
The Chairman of SLPP, Prince Harding (PHD) told party members that nobody persuaded Dr. Yumkella to return to the party, and genuinely took the decision himself.
He therefore encouraged the party members to warmly welcome Dr.Yumkella and encourage other people to join the party so that they will continue winning elections.
The programme was climaxed by the handing over ceremony of the SLPP party membership card to Yumkella.
Yumkella left the SLPP in 2017 and formed his own political party NGC, after failing to win the 2018 flagbearer race in the SLPP.
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