What SLPP Needs Ahead Of 2028
Echo of the Pen!
By: Lansana Fofanah
What SLPP Needs Ahead Of 2028
After the presidency of late Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in 2007, the new government of the All People’s Congress (APC) vowed never to see the return of the SLPP to power again in Sierra Leone.
This was manifested and perfected in 2012, when the then Electoral Commissioner, Christiana Thorpe rigged the election results in favor of the APC. All petitions made by the SLPP against the rigged elections results were not even heard by the court. They were dismissed on technical grounds. The merits of the petitions were not heard.
The party’s presidential candidate, Julius Maada Bio grudgingly accepted the court’s verdict and behaved like a statesman.
Solomon Berewa suffered a similar faith in 2007 when election results for Kailahun district were cancelled by Christiana Thorpe. That cost him the Presidency. He retired from active party politics and became an elderly statesman. He said he accepted the rigged elections results for the sake of peace in Sierra Leone.
SLPP had to strategize, and put forward Julius Maada Bio, who was, without a shred of doubt, the best sellable candidate with the charisma and courage to take on the APC in 2018.
The tenure of the former President, Ernest Bai Koroma came to an end after his handpicked candidate Dr Samura Kamara was floored by Bio. But the determination of the APC in 2018, was to continue in governance through their new kid on the block, Samura Kamara. Despite the fierce campaign and big spending by the APC, SLPP put up a hard fight to clinch victory in 2018.
President Bio is serving his second and final term as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone after his reelection victory was validated by the ECSL Chairman. He has made it crystal clear that he would not be running for or seeking any extension of his mandate beyond 2028. Unlike his predecessor Ernest Bai Koroma who was surreptitiously pushing for a ‘More Term’ until Sierra Leoneans kicked against it, Bio has made it categorically clear that, he is not interested in any term extension or third term bid.
The quest to succeed President Bio, has brought internal rancor and big a split within the SLPP.
Despite the call for everyone to focus on the promotion of the Big Five agenda of the government, and the cancellation of all underground flag bearer campaigns, several of his appointees and close associates have been focused on promoting their political agendas to succeed him.
There have been open confrontations among supporters of different groups of the party in the lower level elections, thereby undermining the peace and stability of the country.
For the first time in the history of our polity, a senior cabinet Minister is at odds with the First Lady of the country. While they seek to serve the Presidency diligently, the public approach and their continuous discord is undermining the very essence of the existence of the government they are supposed to be promoting.
Something serious and urgent has to be done and done fast about it. Many people in the country are asking one salient question: is the First Lady fighting to succeed her husband in 2028?
The government is going through both domestic and external challenges that are hindering development and service delivery. The capital city has been plunged in blackout because of lack of payment to independent power providers. The Finance Minister recently admitted that, the government owes Karpowership US$50M. Karpowership have decided to scale down their capacity of power supply from 65MW to 50MW.
At the end of the day, the electorate will no longer be interested in endless excuses.
The roles and responsibilities of everyone either in the party or in governance should be made clear.
The divided attention and pursuit of individual ambitions, is a serious threat to the survival of the SLPP beyond 2028 if something is not done.
The unity and courage SLPP had during opposition days is no more. Those feeling disappointed have no courage to believe in the leadership of the party, while those who have amassed enough wealth, care less about the outcome of the 2028.
SLPP might know its strategies and plans for 2028, but it should not underestimate the seriousness of the APC and the determination of the international community to promote a regime change agenda in Sierra Leone.
It’s time for President Bio to rein in his wife and his Chief Minister in the interest of not only the SLPP but the country as a whole.
What the SLPP truly needs now is for President Bio to show strong leadership, by getting rid of those responsible for causing distraction in the government. Truth be told, the Chief Minister has become a serious distraction. He should be reassigned to another role in the government.
News 24 publication.
