Freetown — The opposition United National Peoples Party (UNPP) will on June 16, 2006 replace its octogenarian leader, Dr. John Karefa-Smart at a national delegates' conference to be held on the said date, UNPP resources state.

The convention, which would take place at the Atlantic Hall, National Stadium Freetown, will see Dr. Karefa-Smart, leader and founder of the party, bowing out of active politics for good.

Mohamed Ben Kamara, the party's United Kingdom/Ireland Branch Chairman and a university Professor based in the United States and Abdul Karim Kamara are vying for the leadership of the party.

Alie Bangura, one of the chieftains of UNPP, told Concord Times that all elective positions within the party would be contested for during the convention.

"This time around we will elect active and credible people to run the affairs of our party," he said, adding that the delegates' congress would raise UNPP from the ashes.

Ben Kamara says he is very happy now that a timetable has been set for the party's convention.

"I see no reason why the party should not elect me as leader because I know all the problems affecting Sierra Leone, and as leader of the UNPP, the party has all the chances to win the 2007 elections in style," Kamara said.

He noted further that his dream is to take the party to another level.

Kamara explained that if elected as leader of the UNPP, he would ensure that the party forms the next government as it will defeat the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) at the polls come 2007 elections.