SLPP HIGH-POWERED DELEGATION SPEARHEAD ELECTION IN NEW JERSEY FOR NORTH AMERICAN EXECUTIVE

The ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party ( SLPP)  has a new executive to run its affairs in the continental United States of America. The executive was voted in during tense elections held in Somerset , New Jersey , as the party’s high-powered delegation from Freetown watched on Saturday evening.

Winning the elections and becoming the Chairman of the North American Branch of Sierra Leone’s oldest  political party was Mr. Matthew Margao .

Fielding questions from COCORIOKO  on Margao’s integrity and suitability for office , the Secretary-General of the New York Chapter, Mr. Brima Alpha , declared that Margao was ideally suited for the job.

.

“Do you trust him ? “,  asked COCORIOKO. Mr. Alpha replied emphatically that many people at the convention  expressed  great trust and confidence in Margao .They  predicted that Margao will provide inspiring leadership for the SLPP Branch in the U.S., he asserted.” I don’t know him personally, but many people say he is a good leader , unifier and organizer and he knows how to raise funds.”   Margao himself could not be reached for a comment because he was said to be very busy with the delegation from Sierra Leone. But some other members COCORIOKO  spoke to expressed confidence in his ability to lead the SLPP  in America.

Elected Secretary General was Mr. Kalilu Totangi , also from the once strife-torn Maryland/Washington Chapter and Professor Augustine Smith from the Atlanta/Georgia Chapter was elected Publicity Secretary. Mr. Issa Koroma won the election for the position of Social Secretary.

Ms. Florence Jenkins  and Mr. Sankoh from the Delaware/Philadelphia Chapter become the Women’s leader  and the Youth Leader respectively while Mr. Francis Bundu from Mayland/ Washington is now the Treasurer. The position of Vice-Chairman does not exist in the SLPP North American Branch heirarchy and individual chapters act as Vice -Chairpersons.

The elections were held at the  New Jersey Chinese Community Center at 17 School House Road , somerset . According to Mr. Alpha , there were 100 delegates

Alpha praised his New Jersey Chapter for the excellent manner they organized the whole program. He told COCORIOKO  that contrary to what detractors wanted the world to believe , the New Jersey Chapter  of the SLPP was united and this was proved by the way the visit of the high-powered delegation from Sierra Leone and the meeting were handled.

Mr. Alpha said that the Chapter hired the Chinese Community Centre for which they paid $1, 500 and the members worked also to ensure that there was sufficient food for everyone.

Mr. Alpha went on to say that even Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Joe R. Pemagbi was satisfied with the meeting. He said that the New Jersey Branch did a wonderful job and Saturday was one of his happiest moments in the United States of America.