Even before official campaign started, the ruling SLPP had deployed a terror strategy clearly aimed at intimidating and scaring electorates from supporting the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC). However, and in spite of the SLPP thuggery and police complicity (in the political violence against the APC), the people of Sierra Leone have continued to demonstrate determination to rid themselves of a government that is ruthless, uncaring and unsympathetic. Sierra Leoneans have continued to brave the violent SLPP attacks by coming out in large numbers in support for change of leadership at State House.
Like in other parts of the country, the Magburaka Town Football Field was not enough to hold the thousands of voters who had assembled last Saturday 10 June 2023 to listen to a very uplifting message by the APC leader and presidential candidate, Dr Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara. The APC leader who is widely billed to emerge winner of the June 24 polls arrived in Magburaka from the mineral-rich towns of Samai Bendugu, Bumbuna and Mabonto which are holding one of the world’s largest deposits of iron ore.
Though Samura Kamara and his entourage arrived in Magburaka around 11pm, the township remained awake and suddenly erupted into frenzy to give a hero’s welcome to the leader believed to be the next President of Sierra Leone.
Dr Samura Kamara went on to deliver a profoundly uplifting message that left indigenes of Tonkolili in awe of his avid understanding of the issues plaguing Sierra Leone. In a very moving way, he demonstrated clear determination to deliver Sierra Leone from five years of unrelenting hardship, division and retrogression. But he said electorates have only one chance and one choice make that change happen.
“In these elections, we have one choice and one chance to redeem our beloved nation…your one choice is the APC and Samura Kamara and June 24 is your one chance to redeem Sierra Leone from of bondage…”
Dr Samura Kamara also recounted the numerous human rights abuses committed by the SLPP regime as well as the politically targeted killings of people perceived to be opponents of the regime. He concluded by telling the people of Tonkolili not to despair, urged them to remain steadfast and to vote for him and the APC.
Urging collaborative action, the APC leader further bemoaned the current economic hardship, uncaring and incompetent SLPP leadership which he said has brought about untold suffering on Sierra Leoneans. He summarised the dire situation this way:
“They have thrown the nation into the gutters and we must work together to get out of there ….” he said.
His Message Resonated.
“Samura Kamara comes across as very honest and sympathetic, I believe he’ll make a great president,” said 60-year-old Ibrahim Lakoh, who attended the late-night event.
Fourty-six-year-old Salamatu Sesay, a teacher in Magburaka said the last five years have been extremely difficult. “Salaries are not paid on time, subventions for the first quarter are still outstanding and prices are beyond our reach. Cost of living has been extremely difficult over the last five years,” she said. Salamatu further lamented, “this is why I strongly believe that at a critical time like this, Sierra Leone needs a president with the experience and expertise of Dr Samura Kamara.
Dr Samura Kamara and his Vice Presidential Candidate, Hon Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah (Chericoco) and members of the APC Campaign team spent the weekend crisscrossing a district that has been one of the places where the APC usually polls its highest votes.
While Hon Chernor Bah engaged voters in Matotoka, Yele, Makali and Masingbi, the APC Presidential Candidate was in Mabonto, Bumbuna and the mountainous terrain of Samai Bendugu. They both delivered the key One Nation Manifesto messages of national unity, and inclusiveness, economic recovery, youth and women empowerment, better education and skills development, infrastructure development, protection of human rights and the rule of law.
Credit: Top of Range Digital Media…
