Njaluahun Chieftaincy: Six Aspirants Confirmed for Election
Six candidates have been confirmed to contest the Paramount Chieftaincy election in Njaluahun Chiefdom, Kailahun District, following a declaration and eligibility process overseen by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs.
Njaluahun Chiefdom is in Kailahun District, in the far east of Sierra Leone.
The declaration ceremony was held last week in the chiefdom headquarters town, providing aspirants with an opportunity to introduce themselves to residents and government stakeholders, including officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, the Office of National Security (ONS) and the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).
The Ministry said the declaration ceremony forms part of the procedures required under the 2009 Chieftaincy Act.
Declaring the exercise open, Declaration Officer Alfred Lahai explained the procedures and eligibility requirements for the aspirants. He said candidates must demonstrate their connection to a recognised ruling house and meet the conditions prescribed by law.
He was supported by two Assessors Chiefs, PC Larry Sao Bojohn Fangawa IV of Wandor Chiefdom in Kenema District and PC Henry Hunkpoh Takaa Baion III of Peje Bongre Chiefdom in Kailahun District.
Director of Local Government Brima Newman Combey urged the aspirants, traditional authorities and community members to respect the established procedures and allow the process to proceed without interference.
He stressed that the Paramount Chieftaincy election is a legal process and urged stakeholders to verify claims relating to ruling house membership through the appropriate channels rather than relying on rumours or information circulating on social media.
The Regent Chief of Njaluahun Chiefdom, Senesie Abu, also called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the election is conducted peacefully and in the interest of the chiefdom.
Representing the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, Commissioner Alex Saffa reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting a transparent and impartial election in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
He explained that Paramount Chieftaincy elections differ from general elections because they are conducted through an electoral college comprising Tribal Authorities. He therefore urged stakeholders to understand and respect the specific procedures governing the election.
The Security Coordinator at the ONS in Kailahun District, Josephine Wuya Fatorma Kayonga, urged aspirants and their supporters to maintain discipline and channel any concerns through the appropriate authorities.
Ten aspirants initially declared their intention to contest the election. They were Prince Edward Monya Tambi of the Tambi Ruling House, Ansumana Gbow of the Gbow Ruling House, Samuel Borbor Gbetuwa of the Gbetuwa Ruling House, Boima Nepor Gogra Jajuah of the Jajuah Ruling House, Christopher Amadu Coker Jajuah of the Jajuah Ruling House, Alex Jinnah Bockarie Farma Nepoh of the Farma Nepoh Ruling House, Momoh Gbetuwa of the Gbetuwa Ruling House, Lawrence Maada Swarray Jajuah of the Jajuah Ruling House, Musa Donald Gbow of the Gbow Ruling House and Mohamed Cliff Jajuah of the Jajuah Ruling House.
Following the declaration and eligibility process, authorities confirmed six aspirants as qualified to proceed to the election.
They are Ansumana Gbow of the Gbow Ruling House, Samuel Borbor Gbetuwa of the Gbetuwa Ruling House, Christopher Amadu Coker Jajuah of the Jajuah Ruling House, Lawrence Maada Swarray Jajuah of the Jajuah Ruling House, Musa Donald Gbow of the Gbow Ruling House and Mohamed Cliff Jajuah of the Jajuah Ruling House.
The eligibility of Momoh Gbetuwa, who claimed membership of the Gbetuwa Ruling House, was subjected to a referendum to determine whether his claim met the required threshold.
According to results announced by Provincial Secretary Alfred Lahai, who served as Declaration Officer, 602 Tribal Authorities participated in the referendum. A total of 215 votes were recorded in favour of Mr. Gbetuwa’s claim, while 387 were against it. Twenty five votes were declared invalid.
The result failed to meet the required two thirds threshold for establishing his legitimacy as a member of the claimed ruling house. Mr. Gbetuwa was consequently disqualified from proceeding in the Paramount Chieftaincy election.
The process now leaves six qualified aspirants in contention for the Njaluahun Paramount Chieftaincy position.