By Mohamed Vandi
A serious confrontation broke out over the weekend between supporters of one of the candidates for leadership of the main opposition SLPP party, Allie Essa Bangura and those of the flag-bearer in the November presidential election Julius Maada Bio at the Sierra Leone People’s Party office at Hanga Road in Kenema. It took the intervention of some members of the party’s district executive to calm down the situation from degenerating further. Eyewitnesses say the confrontation started when a security guard to Bangura commonly known as George, allegedly destroyed a photo of Maada Bio which was pasted on the wall of the party office. One witness told Politico that when George was asked by some party elders as to why he had destroyed the poster, his response was that he saw John Oponjo Benjamin’s picture destroyed nearby. This reportedly sparked off the commotion as angry youth loyal to Bio rushed to the party offices looking for George and other supporters of Bangura who were goaded by some members of the party executive. The public relations officer of SLPP Kenema District Branch, Brima Dausi Kuyateh has described the incident as “unfortunate”. He confirmed to Politico that Bio’s poster was destroyed but denied that Bemjamin’s was. He said the Benjamin poster was beaten by weather as it had been pasted there since last year. “The situation was completely misunderstood by Mr. Bangura’s bodyguard,” Kuyateh said and blamed Mr. Bangura for “failing to inform executive members of the party” about his visit to Kenema which he said was the practice. He said even though Bangura failed to notify them, preparation was made for him to have a meeting with party members at the party office but for the unfortunate situation that halted that plan. A meeting was however summoned at the Kenema City Council Hall where Bangura declared his intention to aspire for the national chairmanship of the SLPP. He condemned the incident that took place at the party office, and blamed his bodyguard for destroying Bio’s poster. He said he was very sad to see SLPP members fight each other and entreated them to consider him for the position, assuring them of unifying the party that which he said was in crisis. He said that if elected he would put all the structures in place that would enhance the party victory in the 2017. Asked whether he was being supported by the outgoing party leader John Benjamin to fight against Bio’s plan to contest again for the party flag-bearer position ahead of the 2018 election, Bangura replied that he was neither asked to contest by anybody nor was he planning to fight against Maada. He said leadership positions in the party were voted for, which was what he was doing. He said Bio was one of those who had seen leadership in him so the need to fight him was unthinkable. Delivering the vote of thanks, the Mayor of Kenema City welcomed Bangura saying the SLPP was a peaceful party and that he was prepared to welcome all members to Kenema. He called on all the supporters to respect the law and fight for the common interest of the party. The former Mayor of Bo City, Dr. Wusu Sannoh, the former chairman of Kenema District Council Patrict Samu, and John Karimu were among those who graced the occasion. However, it was observed that members of the SLPP Kenema District executive boycotted the meeting. © Politico 23/07/13
