Kailahun District – The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs (MLGCA), in collaboration with the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), has conducted the declaration of rights meeting for aspirants ahead of the Paramount Chieftaincy Election in Njaluahun Chiefdom, Kailahun District.
The exercise provided an opportunity for aspirants to publicly declare their eligibility and identify the ruling houses which they claimed to come from, in accordance with the Chieftaincy Act of 2009.
Declaring the exercise open, the Declaration Officer, Alfred Lahai, explained the procedures and eligibility requirements for aspirants. He emphasised that aspirants must demonstrate their connection to a recognised ruling house and satisfy the conditions prescribed by law.
He was supported by two Assessors Chiefs, PC Larry Sao Bojohn Fangawa IV of Wandor Chiefdom, Kenema District, and PC Henry Hunkpoh Takaa Baion IIl of Peje Bongre Chiefdom, Kailahun District.
Director of Local Government, Brima Newman Combey, urged aspirants, traditional authorities, and community members to respect the established procedures and allow the process to proceed without interference.
He emphasised that the Paramount Chieftaincy election is a legal process and called on all stakeholders to verify claims relating to ruling-house membership through the appropriate channels rather than relying on rumours or social media
The Regent Chief of Njaluahun Chiefdom, Senesie Abu, also called on stakeholders to work together to ensure that the election is conducted peacefully and in the interest of the chiefdom.
Representing the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, Commissioner Alex Saffa, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting a transparent and impartial election in line with the applicable laws and regulations.
He explained that Paramount Chieftaincy elections differ from general elections, as they are conducted through an electoral college comprising Tribal Authorities. He therefore urged stakeholders to understand and respect the specific procedures governing the process.
The Security Coordinator at the Office of National Security (ONS), Kailahun District, Josephine Wuya Fatorma Kayonga, urged aspirants and their supporters to maintain discipline and channel any concerns through the appropriate authorities.
The following 10 aspirants declared their intention to contest the Paramount Chieftaincy election:
1. Prince Edward Monya Tambi, contesting under the Tambi Ruling House
2. Ansumana Gbow, contesting under the Gbow Ruling House
3. Samuel Borbor Gbetuwa, contesting under the Gbetuwa Ruling House
4. Boima Nepor Gogra Jajuah, contesting under the Jajuah Ruling House
5. Christopher Amadu Coker Jajuah, contesting under the Jajuah Ruling House
6. Alex Jinnah Bockarie Farma Nepoh, contesting under the Farma Nepoh Ruling House
7. Momoh Gbetuwa, contesting under the Gbetuwa Ruling House
8. Lawrence Maada Swarray Jajuah, contesting under the Jajuah Ruling House
9. Musa Donald Gbow, contesting under the Gbow Ruling House
10. Mohamed Cliff Jajuah, contesting under the Jajuah Ruling House
Following the declaration process, six aspirants were confirmed as qualified to proceed to the election:
1. Ansumana Gbow of the Gbow Ruling House
2. Samuel Borbor Gbetuwa of the Gbetuwa Ruling House
3. Christopher Amadu Coker Jajuah of the Jajuah Ruling House
4. Lawrence Maada Swarray Jajuah of the Jajuah Ruling House
5. Musa Donald Gbow of the Gbow Ruling House
6. and Mohamed Cliff Jajuah of the Jajuah Ruling House.
The eligibility of Momoh Gbetuwa, who claimed membership of the Gbetuwa Ruling House, was subject to a referendum to establish whether his claim met the required threshold.
According to the results announced by Provincial Secretary Alfred Lahai, who served as Declaration Officer, 602 Tribal Authorities participated in the referendum. Of the votes recorded, 215 were in favour of his claim, while 387 were against it, with 25 votes declared invalid.
The result did not meet the required two-thirds threshold to establish his legitimacy as a member of the claimed ruling house. Mr. Gbetuwa was therefore disqualified from proceeding in the Paramount Chieftaincy election.
©️Sahr Sewa
Senior Information Officer, MLGCA
