By Steven Bockarie Mansaray in Kabala and Mathew Kanu in Makeni
Days after three contenders for leadership of the main opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) pledged their loyalty and support to Chief Somanor Kapen in Freetown, his main challenger has taken his campaign to the north of the country. On Friday and Saturday, Allie Essa Bangura and his entourage visited Kabala and Makeni to woo party delegates to vote for him at the forthcoming national conference. His delegation included former NRA boss Dr John Karamu, a US-based university lecturer Dr Maada Mustapha, the Port Loko District Chairman Obai Kabia, former ambassador to Nigeria Joe Bell, former Mayor of Bo Dr Wusu Sannoh among others. Welcoming the delegation, Chairman SLPP Koinadugu district, Ballcom Conteh said they were united in the district and would not encourage any aspirant “to damage the image” of any one running for any of the various national executive positions. He said they were interested in listening to the manifestoes of all the aspirants as there were no “camps” in his district. In a power point presentation, Dr Maada Mustapha highlighted the contributions made by Ambassador Bangura and his late mother for both country and party. Mammy Fatu Bangura had served the party as Women’s Leader in Freetown in the 1960s. Allie Bangura, for his part, said that if elected he would try to bring unity to the party by setting up a unification committee “as there are a lot of divisions in the party at the moment”. He promised to review the party’s constitution with regards the term of office of the district and national executives which currently stands at two years. He said a major reason for the party not winning was because of the two-year period which he said was too short and did not allow for the executive to work effectively. Bangura said that if he won he would organize peace festivals in all the districts to help mend fences within the party especially among the youth, as well as put more women in top leadership positions. Fund raising would also be a pivotal project for him, he said, through membership subscriptions. He introduced Dr. Wusu Sannoh as a candidate for the position of Deputy Leader of the party and Alex Musa for Secretary General. On Saturday the delegation arrived in Makeni where Bangura attracted hundreds of people at the old Makeni City Hall. SLPP Northern Region General, Sorie I. Fornah said the meeting was organized to show support for Alie Bangura. “We the delegates of Bombali District and all party supporters have endorsed Alie Bangura as our sole candidate for the election of national chairman and leader of the party” he said. Mr Fornah emphasized that members of the SLPP in Makeni had been harassed to a level that eroded their right to freedom of expression and political tolerance. “In certain areas you cannot say you are SLPP. These areas include constituency twenty nine in Makeni” he said, adding “It is only Alie Bangura and his team that can liberate us from this political intolerance he mentioned”. He lauded his efforts and support towards the party and service to country including as ambassador to Ghana. Speaker after speaker said that Ambassador Bangura had all international and national connections needed to rebrand the party’s image at home and abroad. The Northern Region Women’s Leader, Adama Turay said that women in the north had endorsed Bangura describing him as “the pride of the north who believes that the SLPP is not a southeastern party or a northwestern party but a national party for every Sierra Leonean”. The SLPP National women’s leader, Isata Jabbie Kabbah, former ministers Dr. Bobson Sesay and Alpha Timbo and former Director of the decentralization secretariat Emmanuel Gaima. Mrs Isatu Kabbah who is also running for reelection, said that only honesty could take SLPP back to State House in 2017. Addressing party members and supporters, Ambassador Bangura said that he was confident of winning. He said his priority if elected would be the reunification of the party and retaking State House. 605 delegates will be voting at the delegates’ conference. © Politico 30/07/13
