June 22, 2021
Albert Baron Ansu
In the rising tension around the Western Area Chairmanship elections underway, Hon. Manso Dumbuya as incumbent as reacted to claims that he once served under the opposition All Peoples Congress, admitting that it is fact based on the one party political context. He denied the suggestion that his action at the time of the political history of the country can be construed as switching of political loyalty as then President Siaka Stevens had dissolved all political parties including the SLPP.
He cited strong and loyal SLPP figures including late Salia Jusu Sherriff, Dr. Prince Harding, Daramy Rogers and himself, among others that contested under the APC but remained loyal to the SLPP.
“It was not a defection, we were under one party rule and we needed to keep hope alive among our party constituents by running for elected offices under the APC.”
He countered that the situation in the one party regime contrasts with the multi-party dispensation when men like Ibrahim Keita defected and have resurfaced with questionable party cards that must be father probed to determine the authenticity.
He argues a legitimate Chief Patron cad must bear the name of the holder with address unlike what Brima Keita has presented that anybody can lay claim to.
He said there is discrepancy over the claim of Brima Keita that he returned to the party during the run off when his resignation from National Grand Coalition is dated 2019.
“I am challenging Keita to provide formal readmission document into the SLPP and refrain from making reference to the VP and First Lady to prove a point about his support to the SLPP during the 2018 elections.”
He said Keita is a liar bent on deceiving the public and must come clean of the suspicion around his status before people can treat him seriously.
Manso Dumbuya denies fomenting violence in zonal elections describe it as mischief hatched by his detractors.
“Those involved in the elections are my party members and I cannot see myself waging on them for whatever reason and people who choose to lie in smear campaigns must be intelligent, Hon Manso Dumbuya stated.
We asked Hon. Manso Dumbuya about disaffection among party members in Waterloo, which matter has become a subject of court litigation.
He said this is an action in violation of the party constitution as there exists an internal mechanisms for those aggrieved to seek redress rather than going to court.
On the question of age as a factor that must militate against his election as suggested by Brina Keita, Mano Dumbuya said he is not done and he is still doing great works.
“You can start building a house and someone comes to finish it but it must be based on a solid foundation. Western Areas was in APC hands without any seat for the SLPP BUT since 2013, we have worked very hard to have secured 12 seats in parliament and councilors. I am still alert and still loved by the people and I am not going to let them down.”