By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu

Claim: The ruling party’s (PAOPA) manipulation in action. Depriving their opposition counterpart free access to their (the ruling party) stronghold

Full Text
A recent claim suggesting that the ruling party (PAOPA) manipulated the situation to restrict the opposition party’s (APC) access to the Bo Coronation Field lacks evidence, according to the fact-checking conducted by the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom.

The post/video in question was shared by Ibrahim Sorie (@Ibrahim33479601) on June 9, 2023, and has garnered 62 views. However, the claim made in the post does not hold up under scrutiny.

Verdict: Misleading 

Methodology

To verify the allegations, the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom team reached out to various individuals involved. Franklin O. Browney, the Secretary of the Bo District Football Association, clarified that the APC was not denied access to the field. He explained that the ruling party (SLPP) had already booked the field for three days, from June 7th to June 9th, 2023, and paid for the reservation. This information contradicts the claim under review.

Furthermore, Joseph Elongima Mbawa, the Deputy Regional Director of the Political Party Registration Commission (PPRC) in the Southern Region, investigated the matter after receiving a call from the APC chairlady. He discovered that the field is managed by the Bo District Football Association, and bookings are made on a first-come, first-serve basis. The APC party had booked the field three times but only utilized it once, failing to make the required two payments. In contrast, the SLPP had successfully made a booking for three days, which was duly communicated to the APC.

Alhaji Osman Mansaray, the police media spokesperson attached to the Bo West Police Division, confirmed that no formal complaint regarding the alleged deprivation had been received.

In conclusion

The claim lacks substance and is not backed up by any form of evidence

Note:  This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens to have access to credible and accurate information during the elections.

The SuperNewsRoom is powered by Africell SL.

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