By Politico Staff Writer
Siaka Sama, an independent MP from Pujehun district, has told a mass rally in the district headquarters that he would support the re-election of President Julius Maada Bio in June. He said he didn’t go as far as declaring for the SLPP now because he was still sitting as an independent MP.
Hon. Sama described President Bio as a good leader and “promised to do all in my power together with my members to re-elect President Bio”. He said he consulted with his people and they were happy to support the President.
The MP and his people in the Malen Land Owners and Users Association (MALOA) - an organization fighting for the people of Malen chiefdom to get a fair deal for the use of their land from the multinational agri-business company, SOCFIN, called on the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) to maintain their one MP seat along with three local Councilors in return.
Hon. Sama told a massive crowd of his supporters that “they told a lie that I insulted the President and I was arrested but to all those who did that to me I have forgiven you.
The MP said since the days of the last government his people expressed unhappiness about the manner in which their lands were taken from them adding that because he decided to work with the people to help them get justice, “people see me as a stubborn and bad person”. He said he was in a good relationship with President Bio to the extent that he was sent to the ECOWAS Parliament to represent this country.
He told the people that the leader of government business in parliament Hon. Mathew Nyuma who attended the rally would convey their request to the President.
Councilor Andrew Mustapha Fullah of Constituency of ward 369 in Malen chiefdom said his people appreciate the work of President Bio and his government, noting that as strong supporters of Hon. Sama they have agreed to follow him wherever he goes.
He noted that they stood as independent councilors in 2018 so that the government could listen to their cries over the way they were treated over their lands in favor of SOCFIN.
"We sent Hon. Shiaka Musa Sama to Parliament to inform the House about our plight. While others mocked us, President Bio listened to Hon. Sama”.
The Leader of Government Business in Parliament thanked the gathering for turning out their numbers to endorse President Bio and the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP).
Hon. Mathew Nyuma said with their numbers testify to the fact that they love Hon. Shiaka Sama. He said “your MP has gone through a lot of struggles and you have continued to support him. In the last election, he defeated all the other candidates who contested but now President Bio has brought everyone onboard irrespective of political affiliation”.
He described Hon. Shiaka Sama as “an ally of President Bio since he went to parliament”.
Hon. Mathew Nyuma urged the affected landowners to take all their challenges to the new Land Commission, adding that the government will be interested to solve some of those problems. He told the people “not to take the law into your own hands. Be law-abiding, channel your grievances through to the appropriate institutions for redress".
Stakeholders of the Ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) in Pujehun District and the executive of the southern region failed to attend the ceremony despite being invited.
Shiaka Sama is one of only three independent MPs in the current parliament.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (22/03/23)
