President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership style has continued to attract members of opposition political parties as evidenced in the defection of additional members from the Coalition for Change (C4C) and the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) to the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in Kangama town, Gorama Kono Chiefdom, in the Kono District, Eastern Sierra Leone.
The additional defection of the opposition political parties’ members took place on 18th March, 2023, a situation that heralded the downfall of the formerly two strong political parties (C4C and APC) in Kono District.
Speaking on behalf of the defected opposition members, Richard Musa, who is the Coordinator of the Gorama Kono Youth Movement for C4C and APC, said they took the decision because President Bio has prioritized the transformation of Kono District from a shadow of its former self to modernity.
“We have supported the APC for many years but we have not realized anything that would lead us to prosperity. APC had always claimed that the people of Gorama Kono Chiefdom were predominantly supporters of the SLPP. So, there was no need to facilitate development in our chiefdom. For 11 years, they did not improve our chiefdom,” he bitterly stated.
He said since 2018, they have seen uninterrupted electricity supply in Koidu, which is the headquarters of Kono District, and the construction of the Kono University is progressing very well, noting that culverts and bridges were also constructed under President Bio’s government.
Receiving them to the SLPP, President Bio who also doubles as Leader of the SLPP, said that he was impressed with the defected opposition members, who have denounced their loyalty from the APC to the SLPP.
“Gorama Kono Chiefdom has always stood by the SLPP, which is the best thing that has ever happened to this country. For us, we would always stand by those that support us,” he said.
He recalled that in his previous visit to Kangama, a school going girl requested that the only thing that she wanted from the president was additional classroom facilities.
“I was happy with such request because it was meant to be for the general good. I wholeheartedly accepted the request. Kono District has one of the smartest people in Sierra Leone. So, anything that has to do with education, I will promote it,” he said.