John Benjamin
By Mohamed Vandi in Kenema
The former National Chairman and Leader of the opposition Sierra Leone People's Party, John Oponjo Benjamin (JOB) has declared to run for president in 2017.
Addressing party supporters in the eastern town of Kenema last week, and making reference to the controversial Third Term slogan "AFTA U NA U", Benjamin boasted that after Ernest Bai Koroma's presidency in 2017 he would be president of Sierra Leone, exclaiming "AFTER ERNEST NA ME".
He said he was the most appropriate person to lead the party to the next polls, adding he was very optimistic that after the 10-year rule of the All People’s Congress Party, his SLPP would take over with him as president, as "I am the most popular and acceptable party loyalist who will replace President Koroma".
He said the days of Julius Maada Bio as the party's flag-bearer were gone, adding that what the SLPP needed was someone like him - JOB.
"I have all what it takes to lead SLPP and the country at large" he said, adding that he had already gained the required support to achieve his goal.
Benjamin admitted that there were factions within the party and that he had the potential to cement "the cracks and make the party an umbrella for all members and supporters".
The district Public Relations Officer of the party, Brima Dawson Kuyateh said it was too early for anybody to make pronouncements for the leadership of the SLPP. He said the party was democratic and the will of the people always prevailed. He called all party members to respect the will of the people and work in its interest. He said nobody would impose themselves on the former ruling party and against the will of the people.
Kuyateh said the SLPP did not stipulate any restrictions on a former flag-bearer from running again for the position.
(C) Politico 06/05/14
