By Ragan M. Conteh
The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has relieved the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Mohamed Sidi Tunis, from his duties as Leader of Government Business in Parliament of Sierra Leone
In a letter dated 2nd April 2020, the SLPP congratulated the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament on his assumption of the position as Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament.
According to the release, the leadership and general membership of the Sierra Leone People’s Party sincerely congratulated him for his elevation to the Speakership position of the ECOWAS Parliament.
The SLPP however informed that Hon. Matthew Sahr Nyuma and Hon. Bashiru Silikie have been appointed by the leadership of the SLPP to effectively fill the ensuing political vacuum as Leader of Government Business and Deputy Leader of Government Business, respectively.
It could be recalled that, following the heated debate in the Well of Parliament, recently, the new Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, in his submission, stated that the ECOWAS Speaker’s position is not a residential position.
Hon. Mohamed Tunis pointed out that he will not relinquish the Leader of Government Business position in the Sierra Leone Parliament, because the ECOWAS Speakership has nothing to do with his mandate as Leader of Government Business.
Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, representing Constituency 132, in his submission during the debate, urged the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament to step down as Leader of Government Business to avoid duplication of functions.
Hon. Tawa furthered that he should allow others to handle the positions because the ECOWAS Speakership is not an easy task.
Hon. Bashiru Silikie, who is now the Deputy Leader of Government Business, also asked the new ECOWAS Speaker of Parliament to reconsider and leave the position to someone trust worthy.
Hon. Slikie reechoes how he relinquishes his position during the APC regime only to give chance to Hon. Mohamed Sidi Tunis who is now the ECOWAS Speaker.
Unlike the opposition Members of Parliament, many MPs of the ruling party were of the view that the new ECOWAS Speaker should step down.