The Leader of the National Grand Coalition (NGC), Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, has stated that no member of his party will contest in parts of the stronghold of the incumbent SLPP.

Yumkella said the move is to ensure President Julius Maada Bio gets the maximum votes to secure his second term.

“The strategic alliance has to do with planning, thinking, and strategizing ways of developing the country,” he said.

Both the NGC and SLPP entered into “a strategic alliance” in April to incur symbiotic benefits.

The NGC Leader stated that his decision from the pre-signing stage of the alliance was for the interest of the nation and not for individual benefits, as alluded to by some estranged members of his party.

He said the principal reason for the alliance is for the furtherance of the development of the country.

Yumkella stressed that some locals are against the alliance because of their will to spread hate and division.

The NGC Leader said it was President Bio who motivated him to prolong his stay in politics after intimating to him that he was thinking of throwing in the towel.

He said it is against such a backdrop that his party will not contest in some of the strongholds of the incumbent SLPP.