By: Mohamed M. Sesay
In an individualistic letter dated the 1st of February 2023, the Chairman of the National Grand Coalition Party (NGC) Dr. Dennis Bright, the Western Area Chairman Arthur Pearce, and the Diaspora Coordinator Alan Luke, have all tendered their resignation letters as a way of exiting the party over the party’s potential decision to form a coalition with the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) ahead of the June 24th 2023 elections.
“It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of my decision to resign from the position of Chairman and Leader and from the NGC party with immediate effect”, said Dr. Bright.
Stating the reason for his resignation, Dr. Dennis Bright recalled that in recent times, there have been significant differences within the top leadership of the party on key issues that have to do with the future of the NGC. He said it has now become clear to him that his continued presence and current role in the party are being considered a negative energy to some colleagues who are pursuing pathways that they hope would be of benefit to the party.
After giving much thought to this, Dennis Bright also intimated that he has concluded that at this time, it is only decent that he gives space to those who are better placed to shepherd the party as they search for the best way forward.
He assured that his decision is without any grudge or grievance for colleagues whom he has worked amicably with in the past five years. “I wish them success in their endeavors”, he said.
The NGC Party Chairman also disclosed that he is leaving the NGC now on the advice of his family who are greatly troubled about his safety and security as a result of his involvement and experiences in politics recently.
He added that the stress, pains and sacrifices of active politics in Sierra Leone have taken their toll on his family’s solidarity. He said his spouse and children deserve to live in relative peace and comfort and not to sleep in fear of anything grave that may befall him.
He however, pledged that his love and loyalty to Sierra Leone remains intact and whenever necessary, he would play his part in support of the progress of Sierra Leone.
Dr. Dennis Bright equally tendered special apology to all “NGCians” who entrusted the management of the party by voting solidly for him in the last National Delegates Conference and especially to those brothers and sisters in the diaspora and at home who supported him financially and otherwise. “We created a real family around our shared values, principles and dreams. If I am leaving now I want you to believe that I have to, I am constrained by the circumstances to quit before it is too late”, he lamented.
On his part, the Regional Chairman for the Western Area Arthur E. Pearce, categorically stated his reason that he strongly believes that an Alliance or Political Partnership with the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) at this particular time, would kill public trust and respect that has long being an element of admiration for the NGC.
He added that there is a great possibility of such agreement to put an end to the sustainability of the NGC after June 24th 2023 Elections.
The then Western Area Chairman for NGC said he once communicated his position through the Leadership of their revered party and Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella (Parliamentary Leader- NGC), that the decision a Political Party like NGC must make if they were to go into an Alliance must not be for the benefit of any individual or small group of persons, but for the survivability of NGC thus their slogan- ‘U touch wan, U touch all’.
“I write to resign from my position as Regional Chairman Western Area of the National Grand Coalition(NGC) Political Party & as a member of the National Grand Coalition(NGC) Political Party”, he stated.
He assured that the reasons for his decision in no way stems from grudge or malice but from Personal and Professional Values which he has held in high esteem throughout his years in politics.