Mass Political Exodus in Kono

On Saturday, 4th February, 2023 mass political exodus took place in Kono, Eastern, Sierra Leone, as some key members of the All People’s Congress (APC), National Grand Coalition (NGC) and the Coalition for Change (C4C) deserted their parties and made new allegiance with the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).

Members of these political parties believed that since the outset of the administration of President, Julius Maada Bio and, till date, the district has witnessed a significant number of developmental marks in the district which has urged them to bid farewell to their former parties and to offer allegiance to SLPP.

C4C, like other political parties, has lost 10 councilors to SLPP, and these members are still serving the New Sembehun City Council in Koidu and the Kono District Council accordingly.

Speaking on behalf of the 10 deserted C4C councilors, Brima Moigua of Word 095, said that their decisions are motivated by the transformation projects president Bio has been embarking on in the district.

He asserted that since other political parties had failed them, they had to turn to SLPP for recourse because it is their traditional political party.

Moreover, he said, the construction of the Kono University of Science and Technology, the construction of the Maternal Centre for Excellence, the construction of the Kono-Guinea road, etc. are the fundamental things that have made the people of Kono decide to pay back president Bio, since others couldn’t offer them those hopes.

Former APC Chairlady, Fatmata Fofanah, praised SLPP as a serious political party and said that their decisions was intentional because of the developmental strides of president Bio.

The SLPP Kono District Chairman, Safea Moiwa, described the occasion as a milestone and a defining moment for the SLPP executives in the district. He said that these members were not forced to join SLPP; however, they did join because they are a living proof for the development that has occurred in the district for the last four years.

He noted that despite the fact that the country’s economy is shaky, president Bio has been able to support the rehabilitation projects of the New Sembehun Koidu City Council and the Kono District Council respectively.

The new converts, therefore, were given the SLPP party membership cards and were officially welcome to the party.