By Sulaiman Aruna Sesay
Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Monday 2nd May, 2024, Segepoh Solomon Thomas made history by becoming the youngest speaker ever in the parliament of Sierra Leone.
The newly elected speaker won the enviable seat after successfully wining the third rounds of votes against his opponent, Deputy Leader of the opposition Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma. The new speaker will succeed the outgone speaker who tendered his resignation last month due to medical grounds.
The Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas was born on the 14th May, 1976 in Bo Town, Bo District in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone to Mr. Philip Segepoh Thomas and Madam Agnes Yeama Thomas. He is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Superior Courts of Sierra Leone, a teacher, and a politician. The newly elected speaker has served in various capacities in Parliament, serving in the Committee Of Selection, Standing Orders Committee, Committee On Appointments And Public Service, Public Accounts Committee, Supervisory Committee, and Deputy Speaker.
In his acceptance speech, he thanked God Almighty for his election as speaker of the 6th parliament of Sierra Leone. He said, he is grateful and humbly accept the role as speaker of parliament. He seized the opportunity to thank President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the entire leadership and membership of the Sierra Leone People’s Party for not only nominating him, but also believing in his potential to stir the affairs of this great branch of government. He also thanked the outgone Speaker, Rt. Hon Dr Abass Chernor Bundu to serve the nation diligently. He noted that the outgone speaker will always remain to be a great son of the land. He also thanked the All People’s Congress and Paramount Chiefs for giving him the opportunity to serve them. He urged them to bestow trust in him as it is truly an honour to serve them.
The Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, is considered a rising star in the political landscape of Sierra Leone, and his election as the youngest speaker in the history of the country has been widely celebrated by many who see him as a symbol of hope for a new generation of leaders.
