FULL EYEWITNESS REPORT AND ANALYSIS
BY KABS KANU
Posted by Wilfred Leeroy Kabs-kanu on Saturday, February 10, 2018
Posted by Wilfred Leeroy Kabs-kanu on Saturday, February 10, 2018
The ruling All People’s Congress ( APC ) staged a massive, spirited, well-organized and thrilling fundraising ceremony in Maryland last Saturday, in readiness for a mammoth campaign for victory in the March 7, 2018 elections.
As the party that has the largest following both in Sierra Leone and the diaspora, the APC produced a showpiece event that was jammed to full capacity with throngs of lively, convivial and excited party supporters clad in red , chanting the APC slogan for the 2018 elections, TOLONGBO, dancing the night away and contributing funds substantially to ensure victory in a few weeks.
FROM LEFT : MRS . KAMARA AND MRS. BAH
The huge turnout and the fervent , willing and enthusiastic spirit of APC stalwarts and supporters in the diaspora dispelled the erroneous belief that was spread by opponents of the party– The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP ), the National Grand Coalition ( NGC ) and the so-called Campaign For Change ( C4C ) —that resentment over the recent symbol brouhaha had fractured peace and fine fellowship within the APC and melted away popular support from the party’s bases in the U.S and the diaspora.
PART OF THE NEW JERSEY DELEGATION
It must be recalled that the APC, in keeping with the dictates of Section 76 (1) of the constitution, did not award symbols for parliamentary seats to Sierra Leoneans with dual citizenship, since the constitution states that they are not qualified to be President, ministers and parliamentarians. The APC said it was abiding strictly with the constitution and the laws of the land.
MR. AGIBU JALLOH
Contrary to the beliefs of opponents, the fundraiser turned out to be a show of strength and solidarity for the APC, demonstrating that the ruling party is still solid at its bases and ready to win the 2018 elections.
SOME OF THE PARTY STALWARTS
Every member I spoke to was in jubilant mood and was exuberant and positive about victory of March 7. They have forgotten whatever misgivings they had about the symbol issue , since they fully understand it was the law, and were now willing to press forward for the party to go on and win the elections .
Because the electioneering campaign had started in earnest in Sierra Leone , the presidential flagbearer, Dr. Samura Kamara and running mate, Hon. Chernoh Bah, were represented in the fundraiser by their lovely wives , Mrs. Elizabeth Samura Kamara and Mrs. Hawa Bah, who led the APC delegation that also included the Government Spokesman, Mr. Agibu Tejan Jalloh and Mr. Abdul Mackie.
The delegation got a red carpet welcome.
The whole hall exploded with joy and merriment when both spouses were each introduced in turn , starting with Mrs.Bah and then Madam Kamara, and each came out of her seat to dance with excited supporters before they were each given the opportunity to make statements.
YOUR HUMBLE SERVANT AT THE EVENT
Both women spoke eloquently and thanked APC USA for the wonderful reception they received and charged supporters to continue their support for the party to make victory certain on March 7. COCORIOKO WILL PUBLISH THE STATEMENTS IN FULL IN SUBSEQUENT ISSUES.
Numerous supporters of the APC told COCORIOKO that they were delighted with the spirit of unity , commitment, dynamism and determination to succeed that they saw . They said that the APC has shown once again that it is United and committed to continue providing inspiring leadership to Sierra Leone under the guidance of outgoing President Ernest Koroma, the President -in – waiting , Dr. Samura Kamara and prospective Vice-president Hon. Chernoh Bah.
Members of the various chapters of the APC traveled from all parts of the Continental USA to attend the occasion.
The fundraising segment was conducted by Mr. Agibu Tejan Jalloh , who earlier eloquently outlined all the achievements of the APC in power.
FROM LEFT–PASCO TEMPLE, BEATRICE CONTEH AND KABS KANU
New Jersey was represented by a 16-member delegation headed by Minister Plenipotentiary Leeroy Wilfred Kabs-Kanu and the hardworking President of the Chapter, Mr. Alimamy Turay .
The event was also attended by the Head of Mission at the Sierra Leone Embassy to the U.S.in Washington DC , Deputy Ambassador , His Excellency Mr. Coulson Turay , and other high-ranking members , including the Chairman of APC USA, Mr. Unisa Kanu, his deputy , Mr. Bobson Kamara and the President of the APC Washinton DC Chapter, Mrs. Beatrice Conteh, former Interim Cahairman of APC -USA, Mr. Ibrahim Sanpha Kamara , among hundreds of other officials.
Many diasporans also said they will be going to Sierra Leone to campaign vigorously for the APC to enable it to emerge victorious on March 7.
