By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
A few months leading to Sierra Leone’s national election, the National Grand Coalition Party (NGC) is on a gradual meltdown as senior party members continue to resign from the party.
The former Chairman and Leader of the National Grand Coalition Party (NGC), Dr. Dennis Bright is among four senior members of the party; Arthur Pearce, Alan Luke, and Mrs. Nyamankoro Sillah who within 24 hours of 1st of February this year tendered their resignations from the party.
In his letter addressed to the Party’s Secretary General, Dr. Bright emphasized that his resignation from the NGC came from the advice he received from his family who are greatly concerned about their safety and security as a result of his involvement and experiences in politics recently.
He said the stress, pains, and sacrifices of active politics in Sierra Leone have taken their toll on his family’s solidarity.
“My spouse and children deserve to live in relative peace and comfort and not sleep in fear of anything grave that may befall me. My love and loyalty to Sierra Leone remains intact and whenever necessary I will play my part in support of the progress of my country,” he said.
He also expressed in the letter significant differences within the top leadership of the party on key issues that have to do with the future of the NGC in recent times.
He said it has now become clear to him that his continued presence and current role in the party are being considered a negative energy to some colleagues who are pursuing pathways that they hope will be of benefit to the party.
He said after giving much thought to the issue he concluded that it is only decent that he gives space to those better placed to shepherd the party as they search for the best way forward. He went on to say that he doesn’t hold any grudge or grievance for colleagues whom he said have worked with amicably in the past five years.
“I wish them success in their endeavors,” Dr. Bright said.
The former NGC Chairman and leader explained that he still harbours those views and positions that he expressed openly in the media regarding the political situation in the country, and of him having seen no sign of change that should let him change them.
“I do hope that Sierra Leoneans will judge me fairly,” he entreated. He apologized to the party’s supporters whom he said entrusted the management of their party by voting solidly for him in the last National Delegates Conference.
Dr. Bright served as Youth and Sports Minister under the Sierra Leone People’s Party-led government of late president Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah.
NGC Western Area Chairman, Arthur E. Pearce has also resigned. In his resignation letter, he clearly stated his opposition to a perceived alliance between NGC and the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party, and said he was leaving, based on principles.
The NGC Party was established in the wake of the 2018 general elections in Sierra Leone and was led by Dr. Alhaji Kandeh Yumkella. The party eventually grabbed five parliamentary seats from the home district of Dr. Yumkella who now leads the party in Parliament.
Copyright © 2023 Politico Online (03/02/23)
