By Thaimu Bai Sesay
In a recent interview, Hon. Mohamed Bangura, a Member of Parliament representing the People of Karena under the APC party, expressed strong dissatisfaction over his omission from the ECOWAS Parliament. Bangura asserted that the Speaker of the Sixth Parliament, Dr. Abass Bundu, had improperly removed his name from the list of Sierra Leone’s delegation to ECOWAS.
Bangura highlighted that during the transition from the Fifth Parliament to the Sixth Parliament, his name was unexpectedly excluded from the list of representatives to the ECOWAS Parliament. He claimed that Speaker Bundu neglected proper procedures in this decision-making process.
According to Bangura, the standard procedure for nominating ECOWAS members involves the Speaker presenting a resolution with nominated names to the Parliament, which would then be subject to a voting process. However, Bangura alleged that Speaker Bundu bypassed these procedures and unilaterally removed his name from the list without proper consultation or adherence to protocol.
Despite considering legal recourse initially, Bangura stated that he has chosen to leave the matter in the hands of a higher power, emphasizing his decision to seek divine intervention rather than pursue litigation against the Speaker’s decision.
Reflecting on his political journey, Bangura described himself as a resilient figure, recalling his previous bids for presidency against prominent figures in Sierra Leone’s political landscape. Despite the setback in his ECOWAS representation, Bangura remains optimistic about his political future.
While acknowledging the possibility of legal action, Bangura reiterated his decision to refrain from pursuing it after consulting with his religious beliefs, legal advisors, and other stakeholders. He emphasized his reliance on divine guidance in navigating his political career.
Bangura’s assertions shed light on the internal dynamics within Sierra Leone’s political arena, particularly regarding parliamentary procedures and individual representation within regional bodies like ECOWAS. The controversy surrounding his exclusion underscores the importance of adherence to due process and transparency in political decision-making.