By Ralph Sesay
The Leader of the National Grand Coalition in Parliament, Dr Kandeh Yumkella, has expressed concern about the trend in political violence and whether people will be allowed to exercise their right to vote in the pending bye-elections.
‘’If these bye elections are marked by violence, intimidation and fraud, then the world will know that this is not a country where the rule of law, property rights and good governance prevails,’’ the NGC leader fumed.
The Member of Parliament for Constituency 062 in Kambia, northern Sierra Leone said sometimes he wonders whether Sierra Leoneans want genuine change.
He blasted at the deep seated ‘Pull-him-Down’, ‘Do-me-ah-Do-you’ and Nah-We-Turn syndromes.
This, according to him, makes economic management very challenging.
The NGC recently returned to active politics after earlier announcing that they would not take part in any elections under the watch of N’fa Alie Conteh, citing credibility and neutrality issues.
The party has presented one time SLPP counselor at Goderich, Ibrahim Kargbo alias ‘small borbor’ to contest in the re-run by-elections slated for 24th August 2019 alongside Josephine Jackson of the ruling SLPP, former MP for the Constituency, APC’s Khadijatu Davies and the only female Presidential Candidate under the Unity Party ticket, Femi Claudius Cole.
The Magistrate Court is currently hearing a case between the SLPP candidate and twenty-two (22) APC supporters relating to violence that erupted during the start of the campaign of the opposition All People’s Congress.
Prominent members of the APC including the Chairman of the Western Area Rural District, Kasho Holland Cole and the Deputy Publicity Secretary of the party are among twenty-three supporters incarcerated by the government.
They have been refused bail after three consecutive appearances.
Many are speculating that the polls might be marred with voter apathy.
The opposition candidate is set to sweep the polls as the area remains a stronghold of the opposition APC.