By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu, Bo City
The National Executive of the Sierra Leone Bike Riders Union has conducted its Southern Regional Executive Elections in Bo, with delegates from the four districts participating in a peaceful electoral process aimed at strengthening the Union’s leadership and promoting the welfare of its members.
The elections were held at the Union’s Regional Headquarters in Bo on Sunday, October 4, with 40 accredited delegates expected to participate, comprising 10 representatives each from Bo, Bonthe, Moyamba and Pujehun Districts.
The exercise followed the successful conduct of the Union’s regional executive elections in the Eastern Region and formed part of the National Executive’s efforts to establish functional regional leadership structures across the country.
Ten executive positions were slated for election, including Regional Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary General, Public Relations Officer, Organizing Secretary, Auditor, Regional Chairlady, Financial Secretary, Vice Chairlady and Treasurer.
Speaking before voting commenced, National President of the Sierra Leone Bike Riders Union, Ishmail Sandy, reaffirmed his commitment to transforming the Union and improving the welfare of its members.
Sandy said the National Executive would continue to promote accountability, transparency and trust, particularly in the management of funds generated from members through ticket fares.
He stressed that the Union’s resources must be managed responsibly and in the best interests of its membership, noting that members contribute financially to the organization and therefore deserve accountability from their leaders.
The National President also cautioned members and contestants against treating the elections as a “do-or-die” affair.
He said the leadership had deliberately promoted dialogue to prevent internal power struggles and divisions within the Union.
According to Sandy, the decision to engage stakeholders through round-table discussions was intended to encourage members to negotiate power rather than fight over it, thereby preserving unity and stability within the organization.
He noted that almost all the candidates contested their respective positions unopposed, which he said demonstrated the importance of consensus-building and dialogue in strengthening the Union.
Announcing the results after voting, sorting and counting, the National Chairlady and Returning Officer, Augusta Rosaline Ashun Kpaka, disclosed that 38 of the 40 accredited delegates cast their ballots.
She said 37 votes were valid, while one ballot was declared void.
The successful candidates were announced as follows:
– Abdul Rahman Massaquoi — Regional Chairman, 37 votes
– Vandy M. Kamara — Regional Secretary General, 23 votes
– Idrissa Alieu Kuyateh — Regional Public Relations Officer, 23 votes
– Hassan Bangura — Regional Auditor, 23 votes
– Isata Caulker — Regional Chairlady, 22 votes
– Mohamed Musa — Regional Financial Secretary, 23 votes
– Ansu Kenawie — Regional Treasurer, 23 votes
– Adama Gboyawa — Regional Vice Chairlady, 22 votes
The results were peacefully received by delegates and supporters, after which the newly elected executives celebrated their victory.
In his first statement after being declared Regional Chairman-elect, Abdul Rahman Massaquoi thanked the delegates, the National Executive and the wider membership of the Union for participating in what he described as an important milestone for the organization.
Massaquoi said the newly elected executive would work with a clean slate and place the interests and welfare of members at the centre of its leadership.
He said his understanding of the challenges facing bike riders and the Union would guide his administration as it works to address concerns affecting members across the Southern Region.
The Chairman-elect pledged to travel across the four districts to engage members and stakeholders at different levels in an effort to promote peace, unity and the development of the Union.
He also committed his administration to mobilizing the necessary resources to improve the welfare of members, in line with the vision outlined by the National President.
Massaquoi urged bike riders and other members of the Union to conduct themselves responsibly and operate within the framework of the law.
He further called on members to respect and abide by the constitution of the Sierra Leone Bike Riders Union, stressing that discipline and adherence to the organization’s rules would be essential to maintaining unity.
The Southern Regional elections ended peacefully, with delegates and the newly elected executives expressing satisfaction with the conduct of the process.
The successful completion of the elections is expected to strengthen the Union’s regional leadership structure and improve coordination of its activities across Bo, Bonthe, Moyamba and Pujehun Districts.