Former ambassador to Guinea under the SLPP-government yesterday declared for the leadership of his party ahead of a national delegates conference slated to take place in January 2009.

Dr. Sheku Bah Saccoh, who made his intentions public during a press briefing at the SLPP secretariat in Freetown, said some sections of the public were speculative regarding his loyalty to the party.

"Some individuals were claiming that I have switched over to the ruling All Peoples Congress or APC. Our party lost the 2007 presidential and parliamentary elections and the new government asked us to stay in our respective diplomatic missions. Many people interpreted this development as a switch-over to the APC," he said.

The veteran politician said: "I have decided to dispel these baseless and irresponsible rumors because they are an attack on my personality and also I am announcing my intention to vie for the leadership of the party ahead of the 2012 presidential and parliament elections."

Dr. Saccoh said he has made lots of inputs into the party and if elected he would ensure that the party wins the 2012 elections.

"I am convinced that with your support we can take SLPP back to the helm of power where the party belongs. My father and other renowned individuals took the party to Bombali district before it was extended to other parts in the northern region," he said adding that "my record in the party is an open book."

Dr. Saccoh recalled that though he served the APC during the one party era in various capacities, yet SLPP was the party of his choice.

"I was a candidate for the SLPP during the 1975 elections but the party boycotted those particular elections for some political reasons. Again I contested under the ticket of the APC during the days of the one party system but that does not mean that I am APC. I am one of the strongest members within the SLPP," he said.