Party Politics: The Battle For The Soul Of Kambia District
Kambia District, Northern Region, the hometown of the APC party 2023 flag bearer, Ambassador Dr. Alimamy Petito Koroma, Ambassador Dauda Kamara, Dr. Sam Sesay, Ambassador, Hon. Ibrahim Sorie, Bai Mamoud, Conton Sesay, Ahmed Kanu and a host of other political heavyweight was swept by a single man, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yummella in 2018.
Kandeh-mania or KKY-mania was order of the day in the district. He won 4 out of the 6 parliamentary seats and also won the district council chairmanship and majority councillors.
The APC party narrowly won 2 parliamentary seats, while the SLPP got nothing.
The current political dynamics of the district has changed drastically and has become ever dicier.
Will NGC maintain its grip in the district? Will the APC make a comeback as it did in 2002-2007?, or will SLPP make some inroads?.
Since 2012, the NGC hasn’t demonstrated that once powerful force as a potential third force alternative which was seen in them.
Dr. Kandeh hasn’t made much impact in parliament and his NGC party hasn’t made any significant impact in all the bye elections held so far.
It could be recalled that in January this year, the APC 2012 Presidential candidate Dr. Samura Kamara and his running mate, Hon. Chericoco, stormed Kambia and received a strong endorsement from those who called themselves “The King Makers” of Kambia District. Can anyone trust them? The answer is a big NO. How could Dr. Samura put all his hope and trust on these people who couldn’t even win a ward election in their district and hoped to win a presidential election? You might be joking Dr. Samura.
Recent results from Ward 192 in the Kambia District, shows SLPP won that councilor seat from the hands of NGC.
The SLPP strategy for both Kambia and other districts in the Northern Region is simple; it’s just to pick up one or two councilors and parliamentary seats and then add them to their strongholds in the South Eastern Region. Bam!
Already, SLPP has one parliamentary seat in Tonkololi, two in Falaba Districts and one councilor in Kambia.
Interestingly, both the APC and NGC are not making any impact in South and Eastern Regions of the country.
During the recently concluded parliamentary bye election in Kailahun District, most of the APC heavyweights such as Hon. Robin Fallay, Maya Kaikai, Moijuoi Kaikai, Sidi Yayah Tunis were conspicuously absent from the campaign trail.
A political observer once warned that, elections are not won on social media and therefore, urged political parties to go on the ground and engage the voters constructively with facts and figures. Adding that, they must be able to convince the voters as to why they should be voted for come 2023.
Mohamed Kakay, Senior Political Commentator
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