By Kelvin Jay
Sitting President of the Bar Association, Tuma Jabbie has stated firmly that her arch rival for the hottest seat is also a member of the SLPP like herself. “Because they won’t tell us about politics has overshadowed the Bar Election as i will put it on strict proof that my rival contestant belongs to the same political party that I belong to.”
The race for the Presidency of the Sierra Leone Bar Association has continued to attract widespread attention, with political affiliations becoming a major talking point ahead of the election.
According to Tuma Jabbie, attempts by some quarters to portray the contest as politically motivated are misleading, noting that both leading contenders are known to have links with the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). She maintained that political considerations should not overshadow the professional credentials and vision of candidates seeking to lead the legal profession.
News filtering through legal and political circles further suggests that Martina Baindu Egbenda is perceived as being sympathetic to the “Ebema Gbi” faction within the party, while Tuma Jabbie is believed to enjoy support from the “Radical Inclusion” camp. These perceived alignments have fueled discussions among observers about the extent to which internal party dynamics may influence the outcome of the Bar Association election.
Despite the growing political narrative surrounding the contest, many members of the legal fraternity have emphasized that the election should remain focused on issues affecting the legal profession, including judicial reforms, professional development, ethics, and the welfare of lawyers across the country.
With the election drawing closer, the battle for the Bar Association’s top seat is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched professional contests in recent years, as members prepare to decide who will steer the affairs of the Association during a critical period for Sierra Leone’s justice sector.
