In its usual press briefing, the Sierra Leone Peoples’ Party (SLPP) Chairman John Oponjo Benjamin said that this government’s number one qualification for reappointment is that the person should come from Bombali District.
“If we win and take over, we will not replace Wusum Stars with Kamboi Eagles because we believe in our party’s motto and it is not part of our creed to be so rooted in tribalism.
He made this statement yesterday at the party’s office at Wallace Johnson Street during the monthly press briefing. He said President Koroma in his inaugural speech called for unity and said he will unite the country that was divided but he has ended up doing the opposite.
The SLPP Chairman said they are not criticizing the government because they wanted to but they are looking at some of those dangerous misgivings that have the tendency of damaging the hard won peace in the country.
He said if they have improved the status of the people they would have been very happy because they had definitely improved the economy, but what they have done in three years has caused more sufferings to the people of Sierra Leone. “When they took over in 2007, the cost of a bag of rice was Le60,000, today it is Le130,000 a bag, can you explain what that means to the people of Sierra Leone”.
The Chairman reiterated that tribalism has eaten deeply into the APC government to the point that they have about 60% of their cabinet from just Bombali District. He blasted the President for deceiving the people of Sierra Leone when he took over and said that he will change the status quo but ended up polarizing the country.
“Let’s take a look at the Office of the Diaspora, what are they doing and who have they employed he asked. They have brought in hotel workers, taxi drivers from the United States and paying them $3,000 a month.”
John Benjamin went on “What about all the Sierra Leoneans that have graduated from our universities that can do the same jobs as the mediocre Diasporas they are bringing?”
He said the only bluff they can make is finishing Bumbuna and “how can you start repairing a new machine that is just three months old. They have nothing to tell the people of Sierra Leone after three years only talking about the illegality of our press briefing”.
Mr John Benjamin said the statement made by Mines and Political Affairs Minister Alhaji Alpha Kanu was unfortunate as they failed to take heed of both democratic dispensation of modern Sierra Leone and is an affront to both the provisions of the 1991Democratic Constitution and the global best practice.
“In this regard, we wish to bring the attention of government to the provisions of our constitution that guarantees freedom of speech, expression, association and the freedom to choose our leaders in free and fair elections that are devoid of any form of intimidation and threat.” John Ben said.
The SLPP chairman said as long as there is democracy in Sierra Leone they will never succumb to any threats as they will continue what they are doing. “Our office has been attacked four times since 2007 but we are still here and hopefully it will be handed back to us officially after going through repairs next week.”