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Momodou
Denmark
11804 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Feb 2007 : 01:19:25
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AN INTERVIEW WITH THE INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE IN NIAMINA EAST
MR. EBRIMA MARENAH
Foroyaa: Mr. Marenah you have been aspiring to be the National Assembly member for the Niamina East Constituency, but unfortunately the I.E.C has declared Foday Jallow as the winner. What do you have to say about the outcome of the election?
Marenah: Well the I.E.C has declared Foday Jallow the winner that is one thing. But whether he has won or not is another. Because winning an election should be base on a lot of things particularly the level playing field during the period of the election.
Foroyaa: Are you trying to say that the election was not free and fair?
Marenah: Frankly as far as I am concern, the election was not the least free and fair.
Foroyaa: Why do you think so?
Marenah: Because there were lot of intimidation that the A.P.R.C Party was involved in for example the A.P.R.C campaign team in Niamina East headed by the chief, Alhagie Kebba Touray and one Fofana, an NIA Officer at Jareng Police Station, did not only stopped at campaigning for the A.P.R.C, but were going round intimidating people within my constituency. Even myself, I was intimidated at one point when some of my supporters were arrested and taken to the Jareng Police Station threatening them that if I should win they will be in problem.
Foroyaa: So you are trying to give the impression that because of intimidation that is why you were defeated?
Marenah: Exactly so. Because for instance the area called Jokni and also 30 mile which are one of my strongest bases, the people there have been intimidated and seriously harassed. That is why when the results were announced, I have the conviction that because of these intimidation there was going to be a low voter turn out in those places.
Foroyaa: Where do you think most of your votes came from within your constituency and why?
Marenah: The entire Niamina has already shown their support for me because over 2401 people left all what they were doing, just to go and vote for me. Definitely those people need to be commended. And these are the people who know their civic and political rights as far as national development, in general, and the development of Niamina East, in particular, are concered. This is why they have the believe that the person identified by the A.P.R.C is not capable to be a National Assembly Member.
Foroyaa: But do you think if he is not capable as you are saying, he would not have defeated you in the elections?
Marenah: This election as I said was between Ebrima L.S Marenah and not Foday but the A.P.R.C machinery as a whole. An example is that on the Monday of 15th January I was supposed to have a meeting at Jareng in accordance with my campaign schedule itinerary but to my surprise when I went there I met SoS Yankuba Touray and Ismaila Sambou and others holding a big political rally there. So in order to avoid any possible confrontation, I adviced my campaign team to move to another place.
Foroyaa: But why don’t you channel it through the I.E.C.
Marenah: Because I was so disappointed as such types of people should not violate the electoral codes of conduct.
Foroyaa: Back to the election, how did you feel at that instance when Foday was declared the winner?
Marenah: I did not feel bad because I know how much support my people have given me, but I must emphasise it again that the playing field was not level. I remembered an instance when the chief of Niamina East, Alagie Kebba Touray, and the former P.P.P candidate for Niamina, Waa Sisay came up to my house in Kndang trying to induce me and offered me a bribe of D150,000 to withdraw my candidature. I told them it is not the issue of money but how to contribute towards national development, liberation and of course the development of the Niaminas. So in any case if you see such situations know that the A.P.R.C is terribly desperate.
So when they failed in all their strategies, they went to arrest my supporters, detained them at Jareng Police. When I went to enquire about their arrest and detention, I myself was arrested and put in cell for almost 24hours. They said I have no right to be there. I told them that these are my people, if they are detained at your station; I have the right to be there. And they said they are taking me to court for that.
Foroyaa: Do your people lose support in you?
Marenah: I can tell you that people are more ready today than ever. Because after the declaration of the results I went round to the whole of my constituency thanking and commending them for a job well done and the response I received from them is more than positive.
Foroyaa: Is this going to be the end of your political career?
Marenah: Infact this is the beginning of my career as a politician since I was not very much prepared but now that I have realized my potentials and the support of my people, the sky is going to be the limit.
Foroyaa: What do you have for your constituency even though you have not won the election?
Marenah: First and fore most I will try to create reconciliation in my constituency which has already started. I am also in the process of forming a Community Based Organisation (C.B.O) in my constituency as an effort to contribute towards national development.
Foroyaa: Finally you said you have not accepted your defeat, where does your fate lie now? Are you going to channel it through the courts?
Marenah: Well it still depends on the circumstances because it is too premature to comment on that. But I am still in the process of gathering information, and doing necessary consultations with my lawyers because I was seriously intimidated and harassed when they put me and my people behind bars for our political and constitutional rights.
Foroyaa: Are you married?
Marenah: Yes I am married with one wife and three children.
Foroyaa: Are you a happy man?
Marenah: Yes I am happy because I have a strong woman behind me. And my wife is so caring.
Foroyaa: Thank you Marenah for your time.
Marenah: It’s a pleasure, thank you.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 015/2007, 7-8 February, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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