Maada Bio steps down

Mohamed Vandi in Kenema Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio has told hundreds of supporters at the City Council Hall in Kenema that with a new national executive now elected he no longer functions as the flagbearer of the main opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party. “I now remain an ordinary dedicated member of the party. I am no more the flag bearer,” he said, adding that the numerous misunderstandings in the party were now over. He appealed to party members to work with the new executive in organising the party for the 2017 elections. He said the All People’s Congress government’s continued stay in power would take the nation to the drain. Bio congratulated party members for a peaceful national convention which took place last weekend in Bo, saying that the decision by the delegates to have the present executive would help transform the party into a formidable force. Speaking at the same gathering, the new chairman and leader, Chief Samanoh Kapen, told the gathering that the dream of their party had finally come true with him at the helm of affairs. He said that it was the aspiration of the party to have quality, faithful and dedicated executive members that would work in the interest of the party. He said the executive put in place in Bo would deliver what was required of the party, adding that they were going to reunify and break all the barriers that impeded their growth. “We will not deceive the delegates and party supporters” Kapen said, adding “My leadership will demonstrate good attitude, preach the party’s ideology and extend the olive branch to everybody”. The septuagenarian politician ended by saying: “Where there was no unity, I will bring it; and where there was, I will strengthen it.” © Politico 20/08/13