COCORIOKO WEEKEND

SLPP ELECT NEW EXECUTIVE IN GEORGIA : MOHAMED BAYOH IS THE CHAPTER LEADER

Sunday June 4, 2006>

At a well attended meeting on sat. 06-03-06 held in Atlanta,Georgia, members of the Sierra Leone People's Party (S.L.P.P.) Georgia charpter, elected a new executive to superintend the affairs of the party.

A very distinguished gentleman Dr. Mohamed Bayoh was elected chairman,the position of vice-chairman went to Dr. Lahai Rogers. Mr.Solomon Berewa II and Mr. Edward Arkpan were elected secretary-general and assistant secretary- general respectively . Alpha Saidu Bangura was elected publicity-secretary, the position of organizing and social secretary went to Mr. Amadu Jabbie.

Mrs. Marie Carew was elected women's leader and Mrs.Maitta Smith was elected assistant women's leader. Mr. Ahmed Banya was elected youth leader. The position of treasurer went to Mrs. Yvonne Arkpan. The following people were elected ex-officio members:Mr. Patrick Goba,Mr. Amos Lansana,Mr. Alfred Kamara,Mr. Kahlil Kargbo ang Mr. Martin Berewa.

In his post election address, the new chairman,Dr. Mohamed Bayoh thanked members for the confidence reposed on him and his executive. He assured members that he will do all in his power and ability to push the SLPP forward .The vice-chairman Dr. Rogers also, thanked members for electing him and called on all members to work together in the interest of the party.

Sent to COCORIOKO by SLPP stalwart, Alpha Saidu Bangura>

SLPP , APC AND PMDC SET DIASPORA ON FIRE WITH SIERRA LEONE POLITICS

No matter what happens next, Sierra Leone's main political parties have done it. They have set the diaspora alight with political anticipation and speculation .They have come and done it. They have stirred up Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora.

This is a wonderful development because it has now ensured that Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora will participate in the all-important 2007 General Elections. It is heralds the dawn of a new era in Sierra Leone--The rebirth of genuine multi-party politics in the country.

We hope Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora will now seize the initiative and fight to make a big impact back home. Circumstances have demonstrated that the nation cannot do without us. We are an essential powerhouse that our nation can hardly afford to ignore.

We look forward to more delegations ffrom our political parties .Infact, what a great idea it is if the Presidential candidates hold debates here in the diaspora--The UK, America and France especially. Solomon Berewa, Ernest Koroma and Charles Margai of the SLPP, APC and PMDC respectively can further build on the political frenzy they had re-awoken among Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora by coming here to hold debates.

Long live our gallant people.

Long live, Sierra Leone.

NEW JERSEY APC CHIEF WANTS BIG DEBATE BETWEEN KOROMA , BEREWA AND MARGAI IN DIASPORA

Mr. Mohamed Azziz Nabe, the All People's Congress( APC) President for the New Jersey Branch, has called for a big political debate between the APC Standard Bearer , Ernest Koroma the Presidential Candidate of the Sierra Leone People's Party ( SLPP) , Solomon Ekuma Berewa and the People's Movement for Democratic Change ( PMDC) contestant, Charles Margai, preferably in New Jersey.

New Jersey is much preferred because the state ha become the epicenter ( Never mind a rival newspaper is now also using that term after us ) of Sierra Leone politics in the diaspora. Though a much-smaller state, New Jersey visits by political leaders have provided far more euphoria, excitement , tension and animation .

The recent rallies by the SLPP and APC in other parts of the diaspora did not reach the heights attained in New Jersey , in terms of the excitement generated.As one SLPP man told COCORIOKO :" It is in New Jersey that all the chronic SLPP and APC fanatics are concentrated ". This is not the only reason though, as COCORIOKO can exclusively state here. During the hassle to kick out the Johnny Paul Koroma AFRC Junta and restore the overthrown SLPP government in 1997-98, New Jersey was the staging ground for demonstrations in America, through the now -moribund Concerned Citizens For The Restoration of Democracy in Sierra Leone.

Nabe said that the SLPP , APC and the PMDC can combine to host the program, which he predicts, will excite interest all over the diaspora and give citizens a better opportunity to choose between the three candidates.

The debate will also provide a better opportunity for a thorough critical examination of the political mantra of the three , given that some of those who will possibly pose the questions during the debate will be from Sierra Leone's multitudes of intellectuals in the American diaspora. The candidates will be asked very tough questions infront of a very critical and fastidious crowd.

All the men will be expected to be at their dazzling best .