The national convention of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party, for the endorsement of the Party’s constitution, commenced in the northern city of Makeni past Thursday. The occasion witnessed the arrival of delegates and other party supporters and sympathizers.

The convention started proper on Friday, during which many party dignitaries, invited guests from other political parties, representative from the Political Parties Registration Commission and other personalities made statements.

The former president, His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma, who initially declined to attend the convention, served as Chairman of the convention.

In his address, the former President informed the gathering that, even though he was officially invited to attend and serve as Chairman of the occasion, he declined to do so. He added that he was prevailed upon to attend the meeting by officials of the PPRC and other party dignitaries.

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The former President also informed the gathering that members of the party should endeavor to resolve disputes within the party. He added that they should desist from going to court or use any external means to resolve disputes within the party.

According to him, the gathering of the party, in Makeni at that point in time, was mandated by the court. He noted that people within the party, who do not have a goat at home, are now calling on him to go. He stressed that, if those who are calling on him to go are at the helm of things, they will exactly know what was going on.

The former President continued that the problem within the APC party is not accused by the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party of President Julius Maada Bio, but by members in the party. He also encouraged members of the party to always learn to resolve their differences within themselves instead of allowing external forces to do so.

He used the forum to call on members of the party to embrace the APC Party, stressing that, without peace, the APC cannot be in a better position to challenge national issues.

The former President was quick to state that he was tired, ready and prepared to go. He also registered that the APC can only forge ahead when there is unity within the party, failing which they will make no headway.

He said that many people within the party have approached and discussed with him on their aspiration to contest for the flagbearership of the party.

At one point in time, the former President called on those intending to contest as flag bearers to go before the gathering. He also mentioned the likes of Alhaji Sam Sumana, Dr. Samura Kamara, the Big Six, Peter Conteh and members of the NRM, among others.

No sooner the intended flag bearers came before the gathering than the former President informed them that all the problems within the party are caused by them. He warned that if at the conclusion of the endorsement of the party Constitution any problem erupts, they will be held responsible. “As an individual, I will wage a jihad against them,” he noted.

He concluded by calling on party members to use the meeting to embrace peace and love within the party and among themselves.