Chairman students' wing of the opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party in Kenema has expressed fear that independent candidates validated to run for the position of mayor in the July 5 local council elections could pose severe threats to the party.
Mohamed Kaisamba said the duo, Joseph Keifala, who was director at the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) and Arnold Gaima, former coordinator campaign for good governance were once active members of the SLPP.
He said there were indications that popular independent aspirants like the two could split the SLPP votes thus posing a serious threat to the party's chance of winning the local council election in the township, which remains one of its strongholds.
“Kenema is a stronghold of the SLPP but these two people would definitely pose a threat to the party's chance of winning the mayorship. We have tried as students to prevail on them to return to the party, especially Keifala but to no avail,” he said.
Keifala was said to have openly reassured his allegiance as a member of the SLPP but that should not stop him from contesting as an independent candidate because he was not “satisfied with the outcome of the primaries.”
“I am not talking about party issue. I am still SLPP but our people need development. The city has so many unfinished projects and my vision is to upgrade the city to a better status,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gaima has also demonstrated determination to win as independent candidate and improve on the township with a vision to providing required facilities that would upgrade standards in the city.
As a former civil society activist, the enthusiast said he does not admire party politics. “With my experience at campaign for good governance I am very much sure of providing good leadership for the people of Kenema.
