The Rt Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu, has appealed to all Members of Parliament to shrug aside their differences and fulfill their responsibilities to the people who entrusted them with their votes.

The newly appointed Honourable Speaker made the passionate plea during his acceptance speech which observers say was emotionally charged. He emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation among political parties.
Addressing the Well of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu averred that it would be an unforgivable act of betrayal if members of the APC failed to attend the proceedings of the new Parliament.

He was quoted as saying that “Staying aloof from the proceedings of the Sixth Parliament is a betrayal of the people’s trust and an unforgivable act. The people voted for you and it is your duty to come and represent them faithfully.”

Hon. Dr. Abass Bundu therefore extended an olive branch to the APC MPs and urged them to join the parliamentary session on the next adjourned date and actively participate in the democratic process.

He stressed the significance of addressing their differences internally by finding a common ground instead of relying solely on external intervention.

Hon. Dr. Abass Bundu commended the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) for independently funding and successfully conducting the June 24 multitier elections that garnered wide acceptance nationwide.

The shrewd Speaker of Parliament also harped on the historical context of African independence and the legacy of colonialism.

Drawing attention to the past struggles where the fate of the African continent was dictated by external powers, the indefatigable Speaker of Parliament noted that despite gaining independence, the influence of entities like the European Union and the United States of America in determining electoral outcomes still looms large.

While acknowledging the challenges that African nations face in ensuring full sovereignty, Hon. Dr. Abass Bundu urged his fellow lawmakers and citizens to work together to overcome these obstacles and assert the nation’s independence on the global stage.