For some months now I have been quiet on socio-economic happenings in and about my homeland Sierra Leone. This was due to the fact that I was tired and frustrated with the way some folks around Rt. Brig. Bio were not helping the young mans political ambition. Instead of focusing on the burning issues that ordinary Sierra Leoneans are confronted with, these few were bent on sowing divisiveness as a means to maintain their closeness to the most decisive Sierra Leonean politician I have ever known, the ex-military leader, Maada Bio. The only way SLPP can win elections is through unity and presenting hard-fact evidence to convince Sierra Leroneans that the country under the APC is worse off and that SLPP is the only way forward. I share some strong convictions that most times BIO is unaware of the uncivil attitude of those around him, but like the public already know, BIOs public silence on some of these issues are not only smearing his image but is in fact scaring investors and the international community who see so much political decisiveness in the ex-military leader. From my interaction with some key international partners, they view BIO as a decisive leader that Sierra Leone needs for tough and decisive socio-economic transformation but they are deeply concerned with the intolerant attitude of people who claim to be close to him. Who would want to invest in a country or its political leadership if the risk of violence is too high? I therefore want to publicly bring to the attention of BIO that as his staunch supporter my conscience is finding it very difficult to condone the unnecessary flaming of minor SLPP party incidences by some people around him and the paranoia that these group of people are using to spread their tactics. I unequivocally agree that in African politics some form of militancy can be appropriate some times, but that should be a standby strategy to ward off any attack, provocation or autocratic rule and not the primary strategy as some overzealous supporters think. Multi-party politics is about pluralism, and irrespective of the fact of my very strong belief that BIO is not only the most formidable candidate to lead SLPP in challenging the ruling APC, and that his political character is what Sierra Leone actually needs at this moment of its political history I am also cognizant and mindful of the fact that there are others who own their own legitimate political ambitions and MUST be permitted to pursue their political ambitions. If at all the SLPP deems it compelling to unite behind a single candidate and in which instant it is BIO, then common sense demands that the elders of the party MUST consult, negotiate and trade off certain interest, and not as it is currently done by manifest rudeness, intimidation and incivility. BIO is completely SLPP but SLPP is not completely BIO. And until overzealous BIO supporters recognize and obey this truth SLPP will remain divisive. I certainly admire and appreciate BIO and would trust him with the destiny of our only nation, Sierra Leone, but would not condone any form of sycophantic and uncivil politicking, because this is how good leaders are spoilt and turned into autocrats. BIO should be able to manage dissent and find his way through any political maze he finds himself. I in no way mean his SLPP rivals share no blame, but the wise will say, you must be magnanimous in victory as a good leader. Each time BIOs side wins party delegate conference, few within his camp use provocative and insults to ridicule the loosers, which incites and promotes more rancor and party divisions. What SLPP needs now is unity of purpose and not the widening of the gap between BIO and others who disagree with him. If it is true that BIO and all his SLPP rivals share a common ambition then it is very important that they refrain from anything that will break the common bond of purpose that unites them. As the victor, reasonable supporters of his like us expects him to reach out to the vanquished. I agree that he should be aware and mindful of the Machiavellian style of politics in dealing with his rivals, but it will pay him much at this stage if he keeps open a line of communication and cooperation with the JOB/Alie Bangura faction. Afterwards the JOB/Alie Bangura have their own political interest, which means there is every avenue for the trading off of some interest. Uhuru Kenyatta did it with his bitterest rival William Rutto, and Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Femi Fani-Kayode, Tom Ikimi, Ribadu are doing the same in Nigeria under the All Progressives Congress. SLPP lost the last elections not because Ernest Koroma is a better candidate or that the APC under Ernest Koroma was successful, but because SLPP was deeply divided. Almost every socio-economic policy under Ernest Koroma has failed or is failing, but the public is ignorant of what really development and good governance is. The World Bank, IMF, ADB and Sierra Leones international partners all know too well that Ernest Koroma is a political sham, but it is not their business to meddle with the internal politics of Sierra Leone. Afterwards part of the contractual agreement that permitted their operations in Sierra Leone spelled out their non-interference in the internal politics of the country. We all remember how Michael Schulumberg was withdrawn when it was perceived that he was meddling with the internal politics of Sierra Leone. Therefore, until the SLPP base their campaign to regain State House on issues affecting Sierra Leoneans, the APC could most likely retain political power and continue to extract and exploit the resources of our beloved nation. SLPP is so divisive that even when they are loosing the number contest, arrogant and self-seeking party executives down-play and use derogatory remarks to label the cross-overs. If Pharoah did not allow the ten plagues to run a second course in Egypt I wonder why SLPP stakeholders are so willing to allow their self-destructive divisiveness to run a second course. They did in 2012 and they are willing to carry-forward it to 2018. GOD HELP BIO and SLPP.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 05:08:16 +0000
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