UNIFICATION CITY, Margibi – Citizens of Margibi’s district two have petitioned the Former Superintendent of the Mboo Statutory District, Henric Marcus Speare, to contest the district’s representative seat during the 2017 elections.

The citizens presented their petition on Monday, November 30 during a ceremony in Unification City. The program was attended by thousands of residents representing several communities in the district, including Harbel, Unification City, Dolo Town, Cotton Tree, Peter Town, Needorwein, Charlesville, and Zoekrine.

Lois Mulbah, a youth leader, read the petition on behalf of the citizens: “We the citizens of Margibi electoral district two, comprising of the youth, women, men, and elders hereby today petition you to contest the 2017 elections for the representative seat of our district.”

The citizens said Speare had demonstrated a high degree of competence and leadership ability while serving as district superintendent. They praised him for empowering less fortunate youth and women in the district by providing jobs, micro-loans, and education. The petition also praised Speare for organizing the first burial team in the county during the Ebola outbreak.

A partial view of a group of citizens witnessing a traditional cultural performance outside of the hall during the petitioning program. Photo: Gbatemah Senah

In response, Speare accepted the citizens’ petition and promised to contest the 2017 elections. “I hereby declare that I accept your petition and promise to represent your interest through a democratic transition in 2017,” he said.

He promised to remain truthful to the citizens and bring dignity to the district. According to Speare, the voices of district residents are not being heard. If elected in 2017, he told the gathering of citizens that he would make better laws and provide better representation and oversight responsibilities.

Speare has also vowed to contest for the Speaker of the House position. “Margibi too deserves the speakership,” he noted.

A young resident of the district, Prince Marley, concurred with Speare’s assessment. He said for too long, the district has suffered from inadequate representation, and he hoped Speare would make that difference.

“This is the time we have as a people to decide the leadership we want,” Marley added.

The district is currently represented by Ballah Zayzay, who was first elected in 2008 to fill a vacancy created as a result of the death of then district four Representative Flashers Childeryou. Zayzay was re-elected in 2011 as district two representative following the district demarcations.

Among his contributions to the county was his authoring a bill to build Harbel College, which passed into law in 2012.

Zayzay has not spoken publicly about his intentions for the 2017 elections. Following his re-election in 2011, he said he would not contest again, but would retire to return to private life as a farmer.

Speare is among several other citizens expected to contest the position in 2017. Three senior staff of the Roberts International Airport have also declared their intentions for the position.