Has Speaker of Parliament Retired on HIS Own Volition Or Force To Do So?
The Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Abass Bundu has reportedly tendered his retirement as Speaker of Parliament. Reason for such action Is yet unknown from the side of the Speaker, but speculation is rife that President Bio offlate has fed up with the speaker and has placed him in his bad books of records.
Prior to this retirement news , information reaching Voice of Salone Newspaper revealed that the President has despised the Speaker of Parliament and is contemplating of replacing him, but his fear was that he did not want to hit the bull by its horn, but allows due process to be followed.
The speaker, according to our informat, was given a two-year mandate after the June 24 Elections to serve in that capacity. But what happened between the line for him to retire prior to his expiration of his two years mandate is still in the dark as our cogent source said.
In a press release dated 16th April,2024, coming from the office of the Press secretary, the President His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, accepted the retirement of the Dr. Abass Bundu as Speaker of the Sixth Parliament of SierraLeone.
The President expressed his appreciation and gratitude to Hon. Abass Bundu for his leadership in enhancing a strengthened and productive relationship within and outside Parliament “we certainly look forward to your continued support and wise counsel during your retirement”, President Bio stated.
The State House press release, however, states that the Speaker retired on health/medical grounds and his decision is effective 30th April,2024. Hon. Abass Bundu has served as Speaker of the fifth Parliament of the second Republic from 2018 to 2023 and this sixth parliament since July 2023.
Meanwhile, the President informed Dr. Abass Bundu that until parliament elects a new speaker, he shall withdraw from its regular sittings, allowing the Deputy Speaker. Hon. Sengepoh Thomas to preside over all sittings of Parliament, except when the President is present pursuant to section 79(7) of the constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991 (Act No.6 of 1991).
