Sierra Leone News: SLPP … a case of tomfoolery

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The official opposition party has assured itself a constant mention in the news and commentaries. It does this by a constant stream of tomfoolery at every roll and turn. The public have gotten used to it and have now come to see the party as an unserious one. All the hullabaloo is about who’ll bear their flag as the Presidential nominee and by extension who will among his veranda-boys that will have the supremo’s ears. Many commentators believe that they are only succeeding in hurting their chances to clinch the upcoming elections by continuing with this kamikaze attitude. Dr. Prince Harding stands alone as the loudest deputy-something there is in Africa. He clearly overshadows other national executive members, more so his boss Chief Kapen whom he had tried a palace coup attempt on. Lawyer Eke Halloway was loudly mute then with his archaic legal points then. When the Chief retorted though he came out with all guns blazing at the chairman and leader about procedural errors. He has at last confirmed his plumes as another Pa-O-pa disciple. Poor Rtd. Brig. Maada Bio will take the blame for the actions of his campers even though some have different hidden agendas. When will the Prince show his true colours like he did to late President Kabbah, ex-Vice President Berewa, Lawyer Charles Margai and many others who have suffered from his subterfuge? When will politicians learn that a baboon’s hand can only be black? Why do they like dancing with devils? This breed never ceases to fascinate me beyond belief with their antics to further their parochial interests. Chief strategists of this camp include former national secretary wonder-boy J.J. Saffa, the Prince (Bullet), Alhaji Kanja Sesay and now convalescent Dr. Abbas Bundu at the upper echelons. Below them are Tamba Sam, J.D. Rogers, Manso Dumbuya and others who are clamouring for elevation to be recognized by the leader. Below these tiers is found their instrument of terror and unsavoury molestation of all who question their motives called The Grassroots. These guys and dolls of the grassroots are a nightmare to party mates but an enigma to us social observers. All I can say here is that they (or their puppet masters) rule the SLPP through antics akin to those of the old APC. The victims of the grass root thugs are generally referred to as the anti Pa-O-Pa group which is effectively a mosaic of smaller interest groups lacking the cult-like cohesion of the general’s troops. Amb. Allie Bangura provided them leadership for a brief while but somehow failed to maintain it. He probably has his own agenda. Alpha Timbo the trade unionist turned politician, turned lawyer is wishing all his horses that he leads this group and takes a good bash at unifying them under a common cause. Do not for one minute under-rate Timbo, he is a shrewd customer that is avaricious and deadly. He would use this group to bolster his northern caucus. My guess is that he will do business sooner than you can say “jack the lad”. He’ll settle for being the muslim northerner to compliment the Christian southerner. Watch him I say! Within the same confederacy are found battle proven warlords like John Benjamin the erstwhile chairman who is a well known spoiler. A merchant of closed door pacts, he always delivers. I cannot help but think he is hatching isms, schisms and schemes as he also eyes the coveted prize. Eng. Andrew Keilli has made it known he’s still in the running but not by any means necessary. He may even be ready to horse trade… possibly with Dr. Kandeh Yumkella who is still to declare but has a movement in place both locally and in the diaspora managing his campaign. Of all these seemingly fine gentlemen only Bio and Yumkella are going for the top prize only. The others could execute deals for running mate or even top cabinet posts. A matter of regional and religious balance will also be considered to determine who teams up with whom. Our politics always seek to balance these two issues. It is also necessary to admonish all players in this saga that the unbecoming conduct in recent times by the grassroots caused by incitements from the top brass is stupidly destroying the party’s image to the voting public and common folk. The SLPP needs to present itself as a cohesive force capable of governance at this point in its history; not a bunch of unruly hooligans that run riots among themselves. The voters are watching so whatever peace that you forge must have this thought at its centre or else forget about power for the next and several coming elections. The confederates need to be cohesive to counter the excesses of the grassroots in any meaningful way. All selfish agendas should be sent to backburners and the focus placed on achieving unity of purpose. They have that albeit in a somewhat misguided manner. If a leader is to emerge s/he must have the ability to weld the confederacy into a group with a common purpose. If its any consolation they vastly outnumber the Bioites and can attract the floating voters which they (Bioites) seem to alienate too easily. This team if devoid of egos and side interests would be best placed to work pro bono publico (for common good). We the voting public and social commentators are well sat on our balcony view seats to watch the drama and score players points as it unfolds like the proverbial “fly on the wall.” I hope the SLPP big wigs take note of the points raised here, get off their pedestals and justify their existence as a political entity to win power. Its useless tearing themselves apart for the flag as they risk tearing it up too in the fight. Another noteworthy point is the fact that none of these factions is big enough to carry the party to power on its own, even if they win the flag from within. “United we stand, Divided we fall” is the most appropriate way to read the party’s motto of “One country, One people” to even have a chance at succeeding. The die is cast. Samba Jombor Bundu Wednesday July 16, 2014

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