NGC Chairman’s Nationwide Tour Ignites Grassroots Energy Despite Intimidation Tactics
The Chairman and Leader of the National Grand Coalition (NGC), Jesmed F. Suma is currently on a nationwide tour aimed at meeting, greeting, and updating party members on the true state of the party. His mission has been simple but powerful: to reconnect with the grassroots, reaffirm the independence of the NGC, and restore the confidence of members across Sierra Leone.
Yet, the sheer success and electrifying nature of these meetings have sent shockwaves through the anti-NGC, pro-alliance Kandehlite breakaway faction, who are terrified by the Chairman’s growing momentum. Terrified by the defiance and loyalty of the grassroots in support of their Chairman’s stand against the so-called alliance, this faction has resorted to intimidation and disruption tactics—discouraging and even threatening members who attend the Chairman’s meetings.
But the strategy has backfired. Everywhere the Chairman goes, he is welcomed with energy, pride, and defiance. So far, his grassroots tour has covered Bo, Pujehun, Kailahun, and Kenema Districts, engaging with party executives and members from every constituency in each district.
The most electrifying reception came in Kailahun District, where crowds of loyal supporters gathered in unprecedented numbers to reaffirm their faith in the Chairman and Leader, and in the NGC’s vision of a strong, independent political movement free from manipulation.
This momentum demonstrates one truth: the NGC is alive, the grassroots are awake, and no amount of intimidation will break the bond between the people and their desire for an independent party.
In Makeni, one of the major cities, the welcome was electrifying and full of excitement. At approximately 4:00 p.m., after delivering a rousing address to party supporters in Makeni, the Chairman and Leader of the National Grand Coalition (NGC), Jesmed F. Suma and a team of party leaders proceeded towards Magburuka, where over 150 party executive members of various levels of the party had been waiting for nearly three hours to meet with them.
Before his arrival, however, the gathering was deliberately disrupted by Osman Turay (alias Mallam), the former Tonkolili District Chairman, and a known pro-alliance agitator who claimed to have the Magburka police in his pocket. Turay reported to the police that the organizers had not obtained “clearance” from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to hold the meeting.
Acting on this, the Local Unit Commander (LUC) Saidu Kargbo dispatched officers who shut down the hall with over 150 loyalist inside, unlawfully detaining them inside the hall for over one and a half hours.
The police later opened the hall and released the group but went further to arrest members of the organizing team, including Salieu S. Kamara and Omaru Komeh. Others—Zainab Wurie (age 15), Memunatu Bangura, Abdul Sheriff, Alhaji Sesay, Sarah Kamara, Aminata D. Gbla and DJ Council were also detained— with four them including the 15 years old Zainab Wurie, actually being placed in police cells.
Tragically, upon hearing of her husband’s detention, the wife of organizer Salieu Kamara collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment she is said to be spending the night in the hospital.
Notably, before the meeting, the organizers—Fatmata Tutu Kabba, Aminata D. Gbla, Amadu Francis Sankoh, Salieu S. Kamara, Sheku Kargbo alias Shekman, and Sarah Kamara—had formally informed the LUC of the gathering. Rather than facilitating security, the LUC insisted that only the IGP could authorize such a meeting, a claim inconsistent with law. While the organizers were at the station, Osman Turay himself appeared, openly admitting that his intent was to disrupt the gathering physically.
Upon hearing of the unlawful detention, Chairman Jesmed Suma personally traveled 15 miles to Magburuka Police Station with the team of NGC officials. On arrival, he requested to see the LUC, who was absent and later returned from a nearby liquor bar. When confronted, the LUC justified the arrests as enforcement of an alleged directive requiring police clearance for all political meetings.
Chairman Suma immediately contacted his legal team, Marah & Associates, where lawyer Bob Refell reminded the LUC that clearance is not required for private, closed-door party meetings. Despite this, the LUC insisted he was acting under instructions from the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Manfred Williams.
After prolonged discussions, the LUC later informed the Chairman that, on the AIG’s directive, statements would be taken from the detainees before they were released with a warning under the custody of the Chairman.
Following the incident, the Chairman directed his lawyers to:
- Issue a formal letter to the Inspector General of Police protesting the unlawful detention of NGC members.
- Initiate legal action against Osman Turay for his central role in instigating the disruption of a peaceful and lawful gathering.
- Pursue claims for damages against those responsible for violating the rights of party members.
