By Henry Kargbo

Madam Iye Kakay has on Tuesday 9^th May, 2023 been approved by the Electoral Commission Sierra Leone (ECSL) as the first female presidential candidate for the 24^th June under the umbrella of the Alliance Democratic Party (ADP).

The female aspirant was accompanied by her running mate, Ambrose Franklyn Kobi, ECSL headquarters, OAU Drive, Freetown.

In his remarks, the National Returning Officer, ECSL, Mohamed K. Konneh informed journalists that the ADP presidential candidate and running mate have completed signing the online form, noting that the commission’s portal have verified and approved both candidatures, therefore, they are both qualify to contest the soon to come elections as presidential candidate and running mate respectively.

In the presence of the media, Civil Society Organizations, the National Returning Officer issued certificate of verified printout copies to the ADP presidential candidate, which he noted justified no objection made during their nomination process.

According to ECSL, the commission received nomination fees pursuant to Section 43 and 44 of the Public Election Act of 2022.

By statutory declaration herein, I hereby provisionally accept nomination for the above position, he announced.

In her statement the ADP presidential candidate, Madam Iye Kakay told the ECSL, pressmen and CSOs that the party and supporters believe in peace.

She said that she has been in the party for over three years and expressed delight for the opportunity given to her by to lead the party into the June 24^th polls.

Assuring her supporters that she will take the ADP party to State House come June 24^th, 2023.

ADP’s Running Mate, Ambrose Franklyn Kobi, among other things stated that he believes in the political ideology of the ADP.

He continued that the party has what it takes to usher the much needed change the country has being yearning for since independent.

The ADP is a symbol of peace and tolerance and called on other political parties to embrace peace for the benefit of all and sundry.

The National Chairman and Leader, ADP, Ibrahim Brima Togo, assured party supporters that he is more than ready to give support to both the  presidential candidate and running mate  ahead of  the June 24 polls.

He noted that ADP believes in giving women an opportunity to run for offices that other political parties can’t venture to do, stating, the bigger dream is not about self but the ordinary people that he said constituted the greater majority.

According to the ADP constitution, the Chairman continued that he is qualify to run for the highest office of the land, but the party decides to give women the golden opportunity.

“I have never met ADP’s Presidential candidate before, however, due to recommendations by national, regional and district executives, we are of the strong opinion that she is fit for the course” Togo said.