Former chairman and leader of the main opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) has said that in order for his party to have a lasting unity, it first of all needs to settle all disputes between its members.
Mr. John Oponjo Benjamin made this statement on Wednesday 5th July, 2017, during a social media post, whilst reacting to a joint communique earlier signed by members of the party who are vying for the flagbearership of the party for the coming 2018 Presidential election.
Meanwhile, Mr. Benjamin, who himself is also a flagbearer aspirant of the party, said he totally ignore the communique signed by his colleague. He said he is ignoring on the basis that he believe that his life had been targeted in Kenema by an alleged supporter of another flagbearer’s supporter.
He therefore urged that the party must first of all investigate the issues if it want lasting peace.
Meanwhile in this edition, we publish below the SLPP statement on the joint communique and the reaction of Mr. John Benjamin.
Joint Statement of SLPP Flag-bearer Aspirants
Standing Together To Affirm our Common Bond
Freetown, 05/07/17
In light of recent developments, we, as Flag-bearer aspirants, wish to hereby declare and affirm our unwavering commitment to the unity and success of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party.
We remain fully aware of the fact that, like any other political party, we have internal challenges. History has taught us that there are always periods of strain and stress in the evolution of established organizations or parties, which are usually followed by a meteoric rise beyond the limiting holds of past uncertainties.
The challenges in our history have always served to increase our determination, in the spirit of our noble party, to weather the storms no matter how rough the tides.
We stand together in the firm conviction that ours is a quest to live up to the ideals of our party, and we are steadfast in our commitment to resolve any and all issues through internal dialogue and engagement of stakeholders.
We are hopeful that we shall overcome the identified challenges in our way and work to perfect the practicalities of our political promise to the nation.
Together, we will continue to widely open our doors and warmly stretch out our arms to all Sierra Leoneans with the best of intentions for our party and our nation.
To the general membership of SLPP, we express our heartfelt appreciation for keeping faith with the party. More than ever before, now is the time to keep the fire burning even stronger and keep the hope shining forever brighter.
The democracy that we all so rightly crave needs our party to continue to serve as the platform of national unity and progress, for SLPP is the real barrier to prevent another sad chapter of de facto dictatorship in Sierra Leone.
SLPP may not have all the solutions to national issues, but we certainly have the best answers for now and for the future to prioritize the needs of the people and restore public trust in government.
One Country, One People!
JOB's Reaction to the Press Release
JOB'S take on press release. Please read
Ali thanks for the draft press statement that I just downloaded.
I arrived this evening and I am yet to meet with my team tomorrow afternoon.
I do have concerns with the content of the draft statement and so cannot be part of it.
We definitely need to address the de facto dictatorship in our own party SLPP so as to keep us out of court and pprc office before making generalised statement to the public that lacks real substance of truth , sincerity and commitment.
Hope you understand where I am coming from having survived an attack on my personal self by supporters of maada bio during which one of my own supporters was brutally murdered by one of the supporters of Maada Bio another aspirant of our party.
The party is yet to give attention to such acts of violence committed by our members against other members. Thereafter we can then see the need to come together and discuss the self suspension of another flag bearer aspirant.
Goodnight and thanks for updating me
Warm regards
John Benjamin
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Newspaper in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
