Political Rivals David Sengeh And Sylvia Blyden Share Seats at POW Centenary Magazine Launch

An unexpected moment of shared space occurred at the Prince of Wales School Centenary Magazine launch on Tuesday, as Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh and prominent opposition political commentator Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden were seated in close proximity, drawing considerable attention from attendees.

Despite their sharply contrasting political stances and a history of public disputes, both Dr. Sengeh and Dr. Blyden share a common bond as alumni of the prestigious Prince of Wales School, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

The event, marking a century of the school’s influence, brought together a diverse group of former students and public figures. The presence of these two individuals, whose recent interactions have been marked by acrimony, served as a stark reminder of the school’s enduring impact, transcending political divides.

The encounter comes amidst a backdrop of escalating tensions between the two. Dr. Blyden has repeatedly accused Dr. Sengeh of complicity in online attacks targeting her late mother, alleging that individuals paid by the Chief Minister engaged in prolonged harassment.

Dr. Blyden has specifically accused Esther Wales, claiming she receives monthly payments from Dr. Sengeh to launch verbal attacks against her and her family. She has provided recordings where Wales is alleged to have admitted this. Dr. Blyden has also stated that she believes these attacks are in retaliation for her criticism of the government’s economic policies and its dealings with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

In January, Dr. Sengeh publicly criticized Dr. Blyden’s conduct, stating in an interview with Africa Young Voices (AYV) that she was “not a good role model” for society. He expressed disapproval of her communication style and denied that her comments affected him personally.

The recent event at Prince of Wales School, therefore, offered a rare public moment where these two figures were compelled to occupy the same space, highlighting the complex interplay between personal history and political animosity.