The Difference Between Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh & Other VPs That Have Lost Elections This Year
By: Lansana Fofanah
The Honorable Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, is seen as the heir apparent to His Excellency, President Dr Julius Maada Bio.
Since both came to power together in April 2018, VP Juldeh Jalloh has never publicly given an iota of doubt for President Bio to question his loyalty, dedication, competence and commitment to serving his government.
Despite several serving government officials forming their respective movements, alliances and blocs to openly declare their intentions to succeed President Bio, Dr Juldeh Jalloh has maintained calmness, and his goal has been to promote the agenda of President Bio in transforming the country through key deliverables.
This is important for anyone that would be chosen to lead the party as the legacies of incumbent determine the strength and success of the successor.
However, some quarters within the SLPP are now citing 2024 elections as bad for Vice Presidents across the globe.
The case of Senegal’s Prime Minister Amadu Bah losing to President Bashiru Faye, should not be a yardstick to write off Dr Juldeh Jalloh’s chances in the 2028 race.
Soumano Sonko’s movement to usher in a new party started years back when he assembled fine brains for the cause. His detention and denial to contest, made the electorate to vote for Bashiru Faye, Sonko’s hand-chosen candidate for President of Senegal.
Kamala Harris’s nomination by the Democrats in the United States, happened in the eleventh hour when it was obvious that the failing health of Joe Biden couldn’t match the determination of Donald Trump to return to the White House.
Even if the Democrats had chosen Barack Obama to replace Joe Biden as their flag bearer, they stood to lose big time.
The foreign policy of the Democrats in the war between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Palestine had already limited the chances of any democratic candidate.
In the case of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of Ghana, he was definitely not the man for the job. His party abandoned their base which led to a huge voter apathy in their strongholds.
John Mahama, who had once ruled Ghana and his blessings in disguise were when he lost the second term bid to Nana Addo.
The economy was bad and this gave him a compelling case to use his popularity and asked for another term.
Solomon Ekuma Berewa lost to Ernest Bai Koroma in the 2007 run off Presidential elections not because of his unpopularity, but because he was robbed of victory in broadday light by the then Electoral Commissioner, Christiana Thorpe.
While some may argue that, it would be hard for Vice President Dr Juldeh Jalloh to distance himself from the challenges of this administration should he be given the flag, it is also vital to know that, he has played crucial parts in the successes of this administration.
He knows the problems as he has been with the President through thick and thin. He commands great respect across the country beyond tribal lines and regions. He is seen as a possible successor to President Bio in 2028 because of the way he has carried himself in public life. And the President has huge respect for his intellect and ability to navigate stormy waters through his diplomatic skills.
Meanwhile, 2024 was not all that bad for incumbents in Africa.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune won his second term in September 2024. Following the death of the Chadian President Idriss Deby, the incumbent transitional President Mahatma Deby contested the 2024 election and won. Mauritania held its presidential election in June and the incumbent Mohamed Ould Ghazouani was elected as well.
We must not base our assessments of candidates from other countries since the situations are different.
News 24 publication
