By Ragan M. Conteh
As the battle for leadership in the Coalition for Change (C4C) Party in Parliament intensifies, four Members of Parliament have disowned Hon. Emerson Lamina and refused to recognize him as Leader of C4C in the house of lawmakers.
Hon Sahr Charles from Kono said, as a party with the 3rd force in Parliament, they have times without number stated that they were recognizing Hon. Francis Saa Bhendu as the legitimate leader in the house of laws.
Speaking to Hon. Bhendu recently he said leadership has changed and he is now the recognised leader of C4C. He said, “Parliament has nothing to do with our political party’s affairs. It is our prerogative to change the leadership as enshrined in our party’s constitution.”
In a letter written by the leadership of C4C, it states that the party has unanimously agreed to change leadership in Parliament. And that, as a party, they were working on their rules and regulations, adding that anyone who fails to adhere to the whims and caprices of the party will be dealt with.
To date, according to stakeholders of C4C, only Hon. Francis Bhendu is recognised as the leader of the C4C in the house of Parliament.
But what is very clear is that, the deputy Speaker, Hon. Sengehpoh Thomas has stated in the Well of parliament that, the house of Parliament recognizes Hon. Sahr Emerson Lamina as substantive leader in Parliament.
Many C4C party loyalists have vehemently condemned the brouhaha between Members of Parliament from Kono, describing the actions of their MPs as a way to render the C4C hopeless.
“The future of our party is bleak. Since the former Vice President left the party for the APC, it has been in constant confusion. Leadership battles, in the party, have created much division within our party,” party supporter, Aiah Bayoh, said.
Bayoh pointed out that the existence and survival of C4C, in the 2023 general election, is shaky because the party has embroiled itself in dangerous deals wherein everyone, in the party, wants leadership.