Petito takes leadership as Chairman of APC Kambia District in Sierra Leone
It was a memorable day in Kambia; a day full of excitement and everyone enjoying themselves. With the euphoria of happiness, music and dancing, the leadership of the district firmed up on the outcome of consultations held the previous days. Members and support groups played and danced traditional praise songs for the two great men of Kambia district APC, Hon Ibrahim Sorie and Hon A P Koroma aka Petito. (Photo: l-r Newly elected chairman Hon Alimamy P Koroma and out gone chairman Hon Ibrahim Sorie )
The convention was called to order by Hon Ibrahim Sorie, the outgoing APC chairman of Kambia District. A household name in Kambia District politics he was first elected as MP in 1982, a living encyclopaedia, normally referred to as “kathorlu”. The charismatic politician with good stature led with firmness, confidence, humility and tolerance to gain the trust and envy of all. An approachable leader who has served as APC Kambia District Chair from 2001 to 2013. Hon Ibrahim Sorie, is now Ambassador designate to the EU and Kingdom of Belgium.
The Chair of the District Convention 2013 is a godfather in Kambia District Ambassador Dauda Kamara, who currently serves as a special adviser to the President. Ambassador Dauda after a minutes silent prayer welcomed all to the convention, introducing members of the NAC oversight committee led by Hon. Alhaji Kemoh Sesay, current Minister of Political and Public Affairs. He praised APC Kambia district for their successful constituency conventions and electioneering programs.
Hon Ibrahim Sorie in his brief comments welcomed and recognized the good works of NAC oversight committee members, he went on to thank all APC members of the District, the media for their coverage and patience, the police for working with the people of Kambia to maintain law and order especially for their support during the past election. Hon Ibrahim Sorie explained that the forum in addition to electing an executive also provides an opportunity to give status and progress report of the branch and admonished all to listen carefully. He then commissioned the reports from the District Secretary and Treasurer
The report of the secretary noted the development of the party since 2002 when during the PR system the SLPP had 5 seats and APC 3.
- In 2004 APC and SLPP both had 9 councillors each.
- In 2007 & 2008, APC had 5 out of the 6 MPs and 23 out of the 25 council seats.
- In 2012; APC 6 won all 6 MP seats and 23 out of 25 council seats, leaving SLPP with only 2 council seats in all of Kambia District.
Sheka Ansumana recognized and thanked the donors to the secretariat. The treasurer who also doubles as the chairman of the Kambia District Council, Mr SSA Sankoh gave a brief financial summary; he noted some of the challenges during opposition periods and donor generosity in recent years. He read the opening and closing balance of the account which has 3 account signatories.
It was the turn of the outgoing APC Kambia District Chairman, Hon Ibrahim Sorie to present his report. He informed that his 17 page report focused on key issues. In his submission, he highlighted the guiding principles of the party as respect for the constitution of Sierra Leone and that of the APC, respect for seniority, age and experience in the party, clarity, consultations and fairness at all times. He noted that in Kambia the party has a well-structured secretariat and membership. He praised the APC party leadership and government for visible developmental projects. He listed some of the projects such as
- tap water in Kambia,
- library and resource centre,
- District Council Headquarters,
- the road network,
- a mini stadium and the ABCs
He emphasized that the constituency oversight committees and MPs are moral guarantors of the party. He praised the Kambia think tank members, Data Management committee and monitoring and evaluation committee. On the District contributions to the party, he maintained that Kambia ran a formidable campaign.
The eloquent outgoing Chairman indicated that Kambia District secured 86% of the votes for the presidency, got 6 out 6 MP and 23 out of 25 Councillors.
He thanked the President HE Dr Ernest Bai Koroma and the national campaign team for their support and reported that the campaign and elections was peaceful with no report of violence throughout the district.
On the Guinea project, he noted that the embassy has records of Sierra Leoneans in Guinea with a large number registered to vote in Sierra Leone. He explained that the arrangement for the Guineans is between the party Secretariat and the embassy in Guinea and that APC Kambia Branch only provides food and accommodation. He noted with regret the challenges the Guinean project posed after the elections and thanked the police and OSD who professionally handled issues that arose until they happily departed to Guinea. He ended by assuring the people from all the numerous towns and villages in the District that he will never forget them
After the presentations, adoption of the reports and resolutions, the names of the new members of the executive, the chairman of the occasion called on Dr. Kabineh Koroma to read out the list of the agreed executive list the outcome from several days of consultations.
There were jubilations, chanting, singing and dancing when the name of the new chairman was unveiled as Hon Alimamy P Koroma aka Petito. This is the man that the people of Kambia had declared their support for to be the chairman of APC Kambia District.
It was a special day, the great Petito was going to take the mantle of leadership of the APC party in Kambia District.
In 2008, with great enthusiasm clear passion and dedication Hon Alimamy P Koroma was elected to serve as the Vice Chairman. He worked earnestly with the Chairman to put Kambia on the map. This energetic and hardworking Minister created a great following through admiration of his leadership style, his youthfulness and his respect for the grass roots. A great mixer loved by Kambia District and beyond he was the Northern Region Campaign coordinator for the past general elections.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman of Kambia District APC Hon Alimamy P Koroma started by thanking God Almighty and the elders of the Kambia district APC for the good work. He thanked his wife and family on whose support he relies upon.
He reiterated that it was the end of the Kambia District Convention and the election/selection of a new executive committee to man the affairs of APC Kambia District.
He thanked the entire district for the trust and confidence reposed in him to elect him as the new APC chairman of Kambia District. He said he was happy to accept the position with humility.
He reminded the gathering he has served as vice chair since 2008 and that has benefited a lot from his apprenticeship. According to him he has benefited from the admonishment of the elders of the district, support from all the party members.
He noted that it was a difficult task to replace the out gone chairman Hon. Ibrahim Sorie as he has set high standards but promised his determination to deliver the best in Kambia District with the support of the party and call on all to continue to give their support to him and that he will not let Kambia down.
He ended by assuring all that as usual his doors and phone lines are open to all.
Foday Suma, Freetown, Sierra Leone
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