Concord Times (Freetown)
Mohamed Massaquoi
5 November 2009
Freetown — Deputy minister of labor and industrial relations, who was one time member of the two opposition parties in the country, has accused the Sierra Leone People's Party, SLPP of stage-managing the aborted youth election in Pujehun district, south of Sierra Leone.
But, SLPP publicity secretary Ibrahim El-Tayyib Bah has denied the allegation, stating that the election was to be conducted by independent bodies whose decision must not be influenced by any of the political parties.
Moijueh Kaikai claimed that the SLPP, in the event leading up the elections, galvanized support in favor of one Melvin Rogers even though the election was supposed to have been apolitical.
He said the allegation against him that he openly supported Charles Rogers as one of the candidates was completely baseless, unfounded and a total display of SLPP's tendency of political intolerance.
Kaikai also claimed that Melvin Rogers had approached him for support but he refused and told him that the election was not supposed to be political, adding that the district was yearning for an independent, transparent and incorruptible young man who has the capability and charisma to lead the youth of the district.
"While I was away a lot of publications were made against me with regards the Pujehun youth election. SLPP clearly showed their true colour on the day for the elections. I was informed that all the SLPP councilors were in Pujehun on that particular day to support Melvin. He is an active SLPP politician, station manager for the community radio and the current secretary general for SLAJ south. How can our youth allow politicians to misuse them," he questioned, adding that he was not part of the electioneering process as claimed by certain individuals.
Anthony Deen one of the youth in Pujehun said they were totally against the imposition of candidates on them and that they were happy that the election did not hold, as people wanted to manipulate the election for their selfish political interest.
Meanwhile, Melvin Rogers said it was unfortunate that the minister could say such things that are not typical of a public official.
"I have never talked to him on that. I am a journalist and I do not represent any political party. I meet all the criteria set aside to contest for the leadership of youth in my district. I have explained my manifesto to the public and nobody challenged my candidature or accused me of belonging to any party," he said.
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