By Abdul Malik Bangura
Hundreds of All Peoples Congress (APC) party faithful and loyal supporters have on Wednesday 27th December 2017, thronged the streets of Freetown in firm solidarity of support to Honourable Madina Rahman for her mayoral bid of Freetown City Council (FCC).
The solidarity support was a parade that started from the main gate of the Siaka Stevens National Stadium to the APC Party Headquarters at Old Railway Line, Freetown, Brookfields, Freetown, where Madam Madina Rahman addressed hundreds of supporters who came from all over the Freetown municipality to express their desire on her candidacy.
Whilst addressing supporters at the APC Party office, Madam Madina Rahman in her short but succinct remarks thanked all those who thronged the streets of Freetown to show up their support to not only her, but also to the APC Party. Calmly as she made her declaration, Madam Madina Rahman said she consulted with every segment of the society, and party comrades, hence she has decided “to run for the Freetown City Council mayoral symbol of the APC for the coming March 2018 Local Council elections.”
Madam Rahman further admonished all present that “it is time for women to come out and try their best,” adding that to make Freetown a better municipality, women must take the lead.
In addition, Madam Madina Rahman said that if given the APC FCC Mayoral symbol, and with the support from every occupant of the Freetown municipality, she will establish a consultative administration, where everyone’s input would be considered in the running of the day-to-day affairs of the city.
Earlier in the declaration programme, whilst assuring Madina Rahman of their fullest supports, a representative from the Aku Community Alhaji Matami Carew said Madam Madina Rahman has been very steadfast in working for the government of His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma since the period of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Sierra Leone, as Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. Alhaji Carew added that the help of Madam Madina Rahman as current Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation1 is widespread across many sectors of Sierra Leone.
The Aku representative further said “Madina Rahman knows your plight because she has been with you all before, she is with you now, and she will be with you tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, making statement on behalf of the chiefs, in tears and in solemn mood, Haja Bomposeh Kabba said her support for Madam Madina Rahman is not because of the wealth of Madina Rahman but because of the goodness and dedicative service the mother of Madam Madina Rahman had rendered to the APC Party. Haja Bomposeh Kabba said the mother of Madam Madina Rahman, Late Haja Isha Rahman stood with the APC during the darkest days, and did sacrifice a lot in ensuring that the APC is where it is today. He said “if you are seeing hundreds of people supporting Madina now, it is because of the blessing of her mother, who sacrificed a lot for the APC Party.”
As speaker after speaker bag supports for the mayoral candidacy of Madam Madina Rahman, a representative of Market Women, Ya Alimamy Fofanah said “it is time for women to be empowered.” She said “when women are empowered she thinks about the suffering of other women.” She said Madam Madina Rahman is someone who is always open to hear the cry of people. Hence she said, she and her fellow market women will fully support the mayoral bid of Madam Madina Rahman.
Another meaningful statement was made by the representative of APC Women’s Congress. Ya Alimamy Manso said “women are the best administrators in all sectors of the society.” She said since Madina Rahman who holds and executive position in the APC Women’s Congress has declared for the APC Freetown City Council mayoral symbol, she believes that women would be given the position. She then welcome all present and assured that the APC Women’s Congress will give maximum support to any woman candidate.
Furthermore, throwing her support to Madam Madina Rahman, Sorie S. Kanu representing the Munku Club said they are totally supporting Madam Rahman’s bid for the APC Mayoral Symbol because of prior persuasion to them by their president Haja Rugiatu Fofanah (Haja Munku). He said “we the men have taken many positions of authority but we deceive the people.” He said “we will tell our elders that Madam Rahman is who we want. We are sending the message that Madam Rahman is the only person we want for the FCC APC Mayoral Scmbol.
Other representatives who made meaningful remarks were the APC Task Force and the Disables. Yusif A. Jalloh of the disable said they are in full support of the declaration of Madam Madina Rahman.
The declaration was also enticed by dancing and joyful applauds from Bondo Women, Motoma masquerade, youth groups, women’s group, veterans all who came out in their numbers to show full support for the APC FCC Mayoral candidacy of Madam Madina Rahman.
*Accompanying this update are photos of the declaration of Haja Madina Rahman*
