…APC standout, Mohamed Bangura
Once the only opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) Member of Parliament (MP) that went against the party’s decision not to participate in the governance of the state over the disputed 24 June presidential results that declared incumbent President Julius Maada Bio as winner Hon Mohamed Bangura of Karene District has stated that he is in parliament to represent his people.
It must be recalled that the APC party decided to boycott parliament and the local councils across the country because of their disagreement with the announced presidential elections results. The APC and many observers who witnessed the elections including members of the diplomatic community have all condemned the result, saying that it was not what was actually tallied, going as far as discrediting the entire tallying process.
In response to the overwhelming cry from the public and international community, the APC under the guide of their flagbearer, Dr Samura Kamara, decided to stay out of governance until either the demanded results are released or we have a rerun of the elections.
But despite the widespread refusal by the elections stakeholders to budge from their stance, the incumbent went and had himself sworn in, appointed ministers and heads of departments and agencies, and opened parliament, all while trying to convince the opposition to come back and take part in the running of the state.
Against what the party had decided, Hon Mohamed Bangura became the only APC member elect from across the country to subscribe to the oath of office and was sworn in as a member of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic. The young man was castigated, lambasted, bamboozled left, right and center by all and sundry, with threats made to his person including insults against his friends and loved ones.
Bangura was advised by the former US Ambassador David Reimer to go to parliament and represent the people that had voted for him. While the APC has refused to take part in governance and would not take their dispute to court fearing that the courts have been captured by the executive, the country is at an impasse that has resulted to parliament closing before their expected date to go for recess, with many civil servants going without pay. The government has been isolated by the international community with sanctions and funding cuts making the rounds.
Bangura was recently joined by Hon Ayodele Thompson (APC) of Western Area. The two men have braved the mountain of resolve the APC had built and have gone to provide representation for their people, something the SLPP government is hoping would soon be spread across the opposition camp.
At present Sierra Leone’s government is operating at half its full complement. Will the APC come to take part in governance? If the SLPP insists on this course, what will be the end result?
