By Ragan M Conteh
As the former Speaker, Chernor Abass Bundu finally retired on Tuesday 30th April 2024, Parliamentarians of the 6th Parliament are well prepared to elect new speaker of Parliament today.
The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in parliament has selected Hon Sengepoh Solomon Thomas as their preferred candidate for the Speakership position.
Hon Sengepoh Solomon Thomas before his selection was the Deputy Speaker in the House of Parliament.
He was challenged by the former ECOWAS Speaker, Hon Mohamed Sidi Tunis who also opted for the third highest position in governance.
Many have expressed concern over the failure by the SLPP and State House to select Hon Tunis who has served seventeen countries as Speaker and only to come back to his home country to become an ordinary Member of Parliament.
This situation has sparked controversy among the general public and perceived the action from State House as demeaning.
Other sources have also heaped praises on Honourable Solomon Thomas for his services over the years as Deputy Speaker.
He has served for complete 5 years as Deputy Speaker and many have considered him as one of the fittest for the Speaker position and will definitely do the needful in the coming years.
Hon Thomas according to some SLPP MPs is grassroots politician that work for the party and adhere strictly to the party ideology.
In Parliament, Hon Sengepoh Thomas has gained much sympathy from the party hierarchy in the House of Representatives and will certainly replace the out gone Speaker.
In the opposition side, sources said, the party has agreed to send the former Speaker of 3rd and 4th Parliament, Hon Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah aka Chericoco as their candidate in today’s elections.
Hon Bah will lock horns with Hon Sengepoh Thomas in the Speaker position.
Hon Chericoco was also a leader of opposition in the 5th Parliament and he performed extremely perfect at the time.
Hon Chericoco is well known for respecting the constitution of Sierra Leone and will be a perfect choice to serve as Speaker.