Peace returns to Gbonkolenken Chiefdom in Sierra Leone … ABD clinches APC Symbol

The people of Gbonkolenken Chiefdom in the Tonkolili District have demonstrated their willingness to join the president’s call for attitudinal and behavioural change. It can be recalled that allegations and counter allegations were made against the incumbent Member of Parliament, Hon. David Bai Conteh and his contender for the symbol, Aruna Koroma (alias Space); of being at each other’s throat. This ugly development did not go down well with most descendants of the Chiefdom, who had the view that the ruling party may lose Constituency 63 to the main Opposition SLPP if something urgent is not done.  (Photo: Abdulai Daniel Sesay alias ABD… addressing his people)

President Koroma in his wisdom wasted no time to summon key party stakeholders from the Chiefdom to a meeting in the Northern City of Makeni. The meeting aimed at finding a suitable solution to the political impasse that was about to unfold in the chiefdom. The five-hours meeting in Makeni concluded with a suggestion that the two candidates in question should not contest the coming election, but that a son of the soil Abdulai Daniel Sesay alias ABD was nominated as the suitable candidate for the symbol.

What one would refer to as a great triumphant entry into Yele Town in the Gbonkolenken Chiefdom came to the limelight on Sunday 2^nd September 2012 as descendants came out in their thousands to welcome the medical doctor.  This was followed by a meeting held at the Yele Court Barray that is aimed at presenting the APC candidate to his people.

In his welcome address, Paramount Chief Bai Sunthuba Orsara III of Gbonkolenken Chiefdom said the people must be willing to embrace peace and development at all times in the Chiefdom. He reiterated the fact that there are normally tussles in areas where there are people contesting elections. “Our focus shouldn’t be on violence or hateredness; but rather we must try to identify projects that will effect transformation in the entire chiefdom,” says the Paramount Chief, and added that the Chiefdom will be number one in terms of development if only his subjects are united.

The Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs informed the gathering that President Koroma rely on them to give him at least 80% of votes in the coming elections in order to avoid a run-off. He commended the decision taken by the President to find a suitable candidate that is dedicated and committed to serve in his Agenda for Prosperity. “The President loves you so much. You must therefore be committed serve in his development agenda,” the Minister said, and further admonished the people to love each other and maintain the existing peace. Politics, she said is like a football, which if played well will ensure positive goals. “I totally condemn political violence, and we want development in the chiefdom,” she concluded.

The incumbent Member of Parliament, Hon. David Bai Conteh and his previous contender, Aruna Koroma; commended the decision of the President, and promised to work with the Unopposed Parliamentary Election Candidate at all times.

Addressing his people, the APC candidate he has never thought of entering politics, adding that the final decision always come from God. “We want peace in Gbonkolenken Chiefdom, which is why we wholeheartedly support the intervention of President Koroma,” he said. Abdulai D. Sesay informed the people that one of the responsibilities of a Member of Parliament is to make policies that enhance development at all levels in society. “Before now development funds are controlled by Members of Parliament. But things have now changed, which is why we want committed and dedicated heads of Council to work with their Members of Parliament to bring development,” ABD said. He totally condemned the politics of abusive language, hatredness and violence in all forms. “This must be a thing of the past,” he concluded.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Samuel M. Serry.

Fadda Bakish

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