By KABS KANU :
How much politics has become polarized and tribalized under the tribalistic government of President Maada Bio and the Sierra Leone People’s Party ! !
Two weeks ago, the ruling SLPP suffered an unbelievable and devastating blow when the opposition All People’s Congress ( APC) WON A BYE-ELECTION right in the hometown of President Bio—Bonthe– where Councilor Daddy Avondor stunningly won the Ward 308, Constituency 089, Bonthe District seat . It was a blow that even SLPP fanatics agreed demonstrated that the SLPP SHOULD NOT HAVE SUFFERED if things had not started falling apart for the SLPP too early in the reign of President Bio. It clearly meant that the SLPP, less than 100 days after coming to power, had started losing goodwill in their biggest stronghold, the hometown of President Bio . Some people attributed the defeat to disgruntlement within the SLPP already with Bio’s politics and his recent sudden dismissal of Attorney General, Charles Margai , who also hails from Bonthe.
While the SLPP licked their wounds and the APC jubiliated their sudden resurgence in Bio’s home, news started circulating in the social media that Mr. Avondor had switched over to the SLPP. The APC swiftly issued a press release denying that the councilor had defected to the SLPP. Shortly after that , however, Avondor was seen on AY TV seeming to indicate that he had indeed defected to the SLPP. The SLPP Chairman, Dr. Prince Harding was later seen in the same TV news clip welcoming Avondor back to the SLPP. Then later, President Bio was seen posing in a photo with Avondor in a State House news report claiming that he had joined the SLPP. This morning, the very SLPP supporter, Ecklass Sannoh, who reported the defection last night , had this to report :
“I am not SLPP and Did not Apply For a Party Symbol” APC Councillor in Bonthe
APC newly elected Councilor of Ward 308, Constituency 089, Bonthe District, Southern Sierra Leone, Councilor Daddy Avondor has denied joining the ruling SLPP party.
Yesterday, Councillor Avonder declared for the SLPP in the presence of journalists and party supporters at the party’s headquarters in Freetown and the news went viral.
He has denied pitching tent with the SLPP, “I will never join SLPP and I am still APC. ”
He made this denial today, whilst speaking to radio Democracy FM 98.1.
Sannoh had reported last night :
News In
APC Newly Elected Councilor Resigned
The newly elected APC Councilor for Ward 308, Constituency 089, Bonthe District, Southern Sierra Leone, Councilor Daddy Avondor has just joined the ruling SLPP after resigning from the main opposition APC.
APC Councillor in Bonthe explains why he returns to SLPP.
By: Mohamed Massaquoi(Mass)
Daddy Avondor, who recently won the elections as a councilor in Bonthe district, southern Sierra Leone, has said that he contested as candidate for the opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) in protest.
The young popular politician, who could not secure the symbol of his party to contest the local council elections told the gathering, who had come to welcome him back at the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) headquarters on Wallace Johnson Street in Freetown, that he and his entire family had always been die-hard supporters of SLPP.
“The only reason I opted for the APC symbol was to enable me contest the election at all cost, having tried to get the SLPP symbol on three consecutive occasions without success,” he said.
Avondor, who doubles as the Bonthe District Artist Union Chairman, added that with support from the union he was able to actualise his dream of serving his people, but noted that his people had now called on him to come back home to his party.
“I am heeding their calls and advice. They voted me in not because of APC but because I was popular. This is the reason behind my returning today to the SLPP. I am a small-scale businessman and I have always offered myself to serve my people,” he said, adding that his people and union members voted him into office because they always knew that he would seek their interest.
He said now that he had won, they had come back to ask him to re-join his original party, the SLPP, stating that he had no option but to answer their calls.
“I am back to the SLPP not because of personal gains but because that is where my people want me to be and I will do my best to ensure that the new direction succeeds in my small community,” he ended.
After his comeback ceremony at the party office, Avondor pleaded with the party leadership to let him see His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, whom he described as one of them.
At State House, he was briefly received by the president in his capacity as leader of the party and a native of Bonthe where Avondor had come from.
President Bio thanked the young man for the brave move, stating that as political leaders they should, at all times, be ready to listen to their people who voted them in office. He said politics sometimes take different tones and some come with surprises. He welcomed him back to his original and wished him the best in his future career.
The declaration now means that the SLPP has all the councillor seats in the district leaving the APC with none.
Says He Never Joined The SLPP But Pledged His Support to Work With The Government.
Fayia Amara Fayia D boy don disgrace dem
Fayia Amara Fayia This Councilor guy is not reliable n mature . Sadly SLPP needs him badly that they want to do anything on Earth to have him
The said councilor disclaimed the SLPP declaration publicly. Too embarrassing.
Kadija Barrie Bo how salone don turn now ba, we nor dae even think but how salone for go before
Nelson Fuad Ahmed I’m afraid for this young man. He is at a crisscrossed road at present. Reputation and integrity are something u don’t joke with. He must be firm in whatever he chooses to do.
Henry Karimu Mattia How na force for declaration ba. De man say na support e gi for work with d slpp government full stop
Christopher Samai Not a serious guy
