SEGBWEMA, Kailahun District — Lieutenant Colonel, Musa Donald Gbow has been elected as the new Paramount Chief of Njaluahun Chiefdom following a closely contested chieftaincy election held on September 30, 2026, in Segbwema.
The election was conducted by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) to fill the vacant paramount stool in one of Kailahun District’s largest and most politically significant chiefdoms.
The process began with ten aspirants declaring their intention to contest under various ruling houses, including Gbow, Gbetuwa, Jajuah, Tambi, and Farma Nepoh.
Following a declaration and eligibility screening led by the Provincial Secretary and ECSL Commissioner Alex Saffa, six candidates were cleared to contest:
– Ansumana Gbow – Gbow Ruling House
– Musa Donald Gbow – Gbow Ruling House
– Samuel Borbor Gbetuwa – Gbetuwa Ruling House
– Christopher Amadu Coker-Jajuah – Jajuah Ruling House
– Lawrence Maada Swarray Jajuah – Jajuah Ruling House
– Mohamed Cliff Jajuah – Jajuah Ruling House
Four aspirants were disqualified. Prince Edward Monya Tambi and Alex Jinnah Bockarie Farma Nepoh failed to substantiate their claims to ruling houses. Boima Nepor Gogra Jajuah was disqualified after a name discrepancy with the official Gazette.
Momoh Gbetuwa, who claimed membership of the Gbetuwa Ruling House, was subjected to a referendum as provided under the Chieftaincy Act of 2009. Of 602 Tribal Authorities who voted, 215 voted in support and 387 against, failing to meet the two-thirds threshold required for eligibility.
ECSL emphasized that Paramount Chieftaincy elections differ from general elections, as voting is restricted to an electoral college of Tribal Authorities, not the general public.
Decisive Victory
According to the official Polling Centre Summary Result (Form PC 2) issued by ECSL for the N/A Court Barray centre in Segbwema, Gbow secured a commanding win:
– Musa Donald Gbow – 888 votes (71.15%)
– Lawrence Maada Swarray Jajuah – 311 votes (24.92%)
– Samuel Borbor Gbetuwa – 20 votes (1.60%)
– Christopher Amadu Coker-Jajuah – 15 votes (1.20%)
– Ansumana Gbow – 10 votes (0.80%)
– Mohamed Cliff Jajuah – 4 votes (0.33%)
The centre recorded 1,248 valid votes and 16 invalid ballots. Gbow’s margin of victory was 577 votes over his closest challenger. The result sheet was signed by the Provincial Secretary and Returning Officer and witnessed by Assessor Chiefs PC Henry H. Balor III and PC Lamy S.B. Fangawa, as well as accredited observers including the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone.
Voting concluded at approximately 2:02 p.m. under heavy security coordinated by the Regional Commander East, ACP Joe Kamanda Bongay, with personnel drawn from Operations Support Division, Daru, Kenema and Kailahun. Authorities described the process as peaceful and orderly.
ECSL is expected to announce the consolidated results for all polling centres across the chiefdom.
Next Steps
Once officially gazetted, Lt. Col. Gbow will undergo traditional rites and a formal inauguration ceremony where he will receive the Staff of Office in accordance with the Chieftaincy Act.
A senior officer in the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Gbow will now serve as the custodian of tradition, culture and communal land in Njaluahun Chiefdom, with its administrative headquarters in Segbwema.
Local stakeholders and residents have expressed optimism that his leadership will foster community development, peace and unity, particularly in areas of agriculture, education, and youth empowerment.
