According to Engineer Andrew Keilli who read the press release, members of the alliance are concerned that the swift handling of cases by law enforcement agencies involving the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the public does not apply to incidences involving only members within the party who may represent various factions.
He said in cases involving the latter the alliance had made it known to the police and the PPRC that national law enforcement agencies have not responded expeditiously and impartially, compelling the alliance to have made accusations of complicity.
The alliance hoped that the killing of Daddy George will compel the police to investigate the incident thoroughly and impartially and bring not only the perpetrators, but also the instigators including financial sponsors to book.
Questioned on why the briefing was held at SLAJ headquarters, members of the alliance responded that as a result of intra violence within the party it was decided that the briefing be held out of party premises.
This was how speaker after speaker explained personal experiences of party violence by a set of individuals who believe the law is not for them.
Also members of the alliance made it clear that the Alliance of all Aspirants was not formed to target any individual, but because of the too many divisions and campism within the party, they thought it was time to bury the hatchet and start thinking as an opposition party that should be keeping government on its toes on issues affecting the state, as well as discussing serious matters to effect and bring change to the party.
Dr Kandeh Yumkella stated that this is the 21st century of democratisation and civilization, therefore members of the alliance in no certain terms will condone few individuals to perpetrate primitive violence on peaceful party members.
Mr Munda Rogers and Lawyer Alpha Timbo, both aspirants gave detailed update on how many times they have held meetings and discussion to put an end to party violence within the SLPP, but each time after such meetings are held, these individuals will not see reason for change but continue perpetrating violence on anyone they consider as not belonging to a certain camp within the party.
After the Kenema incident in which he was present, Alpha Timbo added that last Saturday members of the alliance were not allowed to a meeting in which they received invitation letters, and were molested in full view of the PPRC Chairman, and such act he said will take the party nowhere.
He maintained that if the SLPP is to take back the seat of power, all members of the party should redouble all efforts and show commitment to foster unity, instead of further causing cracks within the party, and as he puts it “a divided house cannot stand”.
To make things worse, Dr Jonathan Tengbeh informed newsmen about the present situation in the UK and Ireland branch of the SLPP, which is in a deteriorating state, because some members are copying the bad examples from the national headquarters to implement the same in UK and Ireland.
He said such unsavoury relationship should not exist especially at International level where good examples should come from; rather some members have resorted to cheap party politics, breathing disunity among members who mean well for the SLPP.
At the end members of the alliance assured the public and members of the SLPP that they are working for the common good of the party and the alliance is no parallel to the party, but seeks to put the party on a sound footing and in readiness for the next general elections.