By Yusupha Jobe
Sheriffo Sonko, chairman of Brikama Area Council has issued a stern warning to United Democratic Party to stop interfering into his official duties.
Mr Sonko who was sacked from the UDP along two other members wrote in a letter addressed to the secretary general of UDP, Lamin N Dibba on 6th July, 2020 that –
“It does not come as a surprise that you have purported to expel me. You have threatened this even before the same letter was sent. You also did not deliver the letter on the day on which it was dated that is 29 June, 2020.
“It was left with a third party and only brought to my attention a day after which was 30 June 2020. That said, it is clear that even the 7-day ultimatum mentioned in the letter was not accorded to me.”
He added in the letter: “As I mentioned in my response to the said letter, there was never any intention in your part on conduct a fair, unbiased or objective hearing process to expel me from the party. The whole process was biased, the outcome was pre-determined and the person who purported to make the decision themselves has no right to do so.
“The IEC was written to on a different letter head after my purported expulsion which alleged that my seat as chairman had become vacant. I do not accept that you are the competent authority to declare my seat is vacant and you cannot act on behalf of the electorates. So, I am notifying your party, members and supporters to immediately desist from interfering in my work as chairman of West Coast Region and towards me.”
“Your actions are unwanted and unwelcome; I am the elected Chairman of Brikama Area Council. So, I have a job to do to deliver for the aspiration and wellbeing of the region,” he said.
Sonko, on Monday rejected a letter of expulsion notification written to Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) by the Vice Chairman of the council, Ismaila Jallow. The letter was written to inform the Commission of chairman vacant position, this he said the letter is not authentic and it lacks the official letter-head of the council.
