By Foday Moriba Conteh
One of Sierra Leone’s seasoned advocates, debaters, businessmen and philanthropists, Abdul Kpaka popularly known as Prezo Abdul Kpaka aka “The Fearless Voice” has on Friday 5th May, 2023 successfully sailed through the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone nomination process to contest in the June 24th 2023 general elections as an Independent Aspirant for the position of Member of Parliament in the Western Area Urban.
Amb. Mohamed Basiru Sanusi, a Media Consultant and award winner of being among 100 most influential Leaders in Africa was joined by Mariatu Jalloh, a student of Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone and Foday Sesay, a renowned Social Worker to nominate Abdul Kpaka as an Independent Candidate for Member of Parliament in the Western Area Urban District.
After his successful provisional nomination process to contest as an Independent Member of Parliament in the June 24th 2023 elections pending any objection at the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone Office on Murray Town in Freetown, Abdul Kpaka, was officially certified by the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone.
The District Returning Officer Western Area Urban of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone, Larry, acknowledged receiving the following documents from Abdul Kpaka which he said is in line with Section (58) 7 of the Elections Act of 2022 which includes his nomination fee, nomination form, proof of registration of the nominated candidate and the nominators.
“Because I have received all of these which is in line with the Elections Act of 2022 I want to use this opportunity, on behalf of the Electoral Commissioner of Sierra Leone and according to the powers invested in me according to Section (49) 2 of the Public Elections Act as District Returning Officer I want to declare your nomination provisional pending any objection,” he maintained.
Speaking to journalists at the compound of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone Office few minutes after his nomination, the astute aspirant for the position of Member of Parliament in the Western Area Urban, Abdul Kpaka, said that his nomination process marks the beginning of his political journey vying for the position of an Independent Member of Parliament in the June 24th 2023 elections in the Western Area Urban.
He said that he is one of the young people in the country that have been undertaking oversight functions through checks and balances regardless of him being a Non-Member of Parliament.
Abdul Kpaka pointed out that, over the years, he has seen the lapses of Parliamentarians in the execution of their duties dilating on how they have deviated from their role as Members of Parliament and that his decision to contest as a Member of Parliament in the June 24th, 2023 elections is for him to actually change the narrative in the ways doing Members of Parliament should perform their roles which he said over the years parliamentarians have renege on.
He stated that Sierra Leone can be a place where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background adding how he believes that the country can be a place where everyone should feel safe and be respected if the right people are placed in the right positions.
Abdul Kpaka continued that: “I want to go to Parliament to represent the people of Sierra Leone fearlessly and during my tenure as Member of Parliament I will bring life and fearlessness in the Well of Parliament.”
He said Members of Parliament should possess qualities which include understanding policies, governance, and human security of which he said he possesses all of those qualities which makes him a fit candidate to be voted for as a Member of Parliament in the June 24th Elections and his presence in the 6th Parliament of the Sierra Leone will create impacts in the country.
“They are used to the notion that nobody is going to make inroads as an Independent Member of Parliament but I am very sure that we will change the narrative this time around as the People who have been following me for the past years know that I am immovable and I stand for the truth which is why they will definitely support my vision to become a Member of Parliament,” he expressed confidence.
The Parliamentary Aspirant said that even though there is a group of Sierra Leoneans who are partisan, however, he believes that there are others who have a genuine view and that when they see the change they are ready to vote for that change.
He said that as a youth, if elected as a Member of Parliament he will lobby for opportunities for young people in the country adding that he will also push forward policies that seek the development of young people.
“The time is now, the parties are not seeking the people’s interest that is why even as a country we are still struggling to access pipe borne water supply, electricity,” he lamented informing that the public have seen his face, known him adding that if they don’t know him they should make the necessary background check further maintain that it is not about money, popularity, or self but rather the interest of the country.
“I implore you to support change, nation building and the right man to be part of the 6th Parliament in order to provide qualitative representation for the people of Sierra Leone,” Abdul Kpaka made a passionate appeal.
