By Ezekiel Nabieu
All recent events connected with the S.L.P.P. do not seem to be natural but only adding fuel to the smouldering embers within the party. It is a fact that party divisions for good or evil are inseparable from free governments. SLPP is no exception to that syndrome. The All Peoples Congress (APC) had more than its fair share of the symdrome months before the 2007 elections. Defections by traitors and opportunists have not helped the situation.
The Northern Province, Kambia to be precise was the birth place of the SLPP before it became pre-dominant in south eastern Sierra Leone. And therefore it has been owned by the south – east and north – west respectively. The balance has however being weighted in the south – east.
The Margais
The history of the SLPP cannot be complete without a mention of the Margai family. In fact SLPP was synonymous with the name Margai until the Margais disowned it by default. Their ineptitude and vaulting ambition let it slip out of their hands. The only useful Margai was Sir Milton whose paternity was ascribed to Kissy in the western area. Sir Albert of Africa was autocratic and was the first leader to toy with the idea of introducing a one party state that the wily Siaka Stevens later put into practice to a disastrous effect. His vengeful son Charles Margai became a ladder for the incumbent government before being dumped into the wilderness.
Flag Bearers
It is not unusual to have a number of contenders for the leadership of any political party not excluding those of the developed world like the Republican Party of the United States that is reported to have started with 17 candidates. Therefore having over ten candidates as flag bearers for the SLPP is not unusual. What is reprehensible is the untold rancor among the candidates. Each candidate is so well placed materially in his present field of endeavour that one keeps wondering whats the attraction to this leadership of the party. It can be none other than the quest for power and prestige. Among the candidates is a former head of state, a former junta leader as well as heads and senior employees of international organizations. At one stage in their selfish bid for exclusion the home –based candidates attempted to slam a ban preventing all diasporan candidates from contesting. It did not work. This device was obviously being tested owing to the fact that its authors were not sure of themselves.
Paopaism in the mix
Paopa is a Mende word meaning that something should happen by all means. And this seems to be the phenomenon that is bedeviling the SLPP. Just why one candidate should be under the false impression that that the leadership of the party is his preserve can be mind boggling. Yet another family from southern Sierra Leone is attempting to claim ownership of the party unwittingly splitting it up in the process. The fact is that without a level playing field the party will not remain in one piece not withstanding any historical antecedents. It is propagandist and prejudicial for horn blowers to be blabbing about leading candidates. Such judgment can only be based on their own self measured yard-sticks and not by conventional standards. And such reckless statements have the tendency to lure an aspirant into thinking that he is already home and dry and therefore can act outrageously.
From Palace to Party Coup
If popularity is what popularity does why would a flag bearer who deems himself popular enough become jittery about other flag bearers. Why would he barricade himself against others invited by the leader of the party? It would appear that the palace coup has moved to a party coup and that the country is set to have its first Party Office President.
A.P.C. Thugs substituted?
It was said by them of old times that the APC was a thug-ridden party but it would appear that the tables are being turned over. The “book man” reputation of the SLPP is being gradually eroded as is evidenced by recent happenings. No thuggery can be worse than that in which a human being is killed in an intra-party fracas.
Under a spell
If the SLPP thinks they can be victorious in the next national elections they must think again. The fact is that supernatural forces are being used against them. Readers would recall that shortly before 2012 elections a high powered delegation from Sierra Leone went to Mali for the purpose of consulting sorcerers to enable the A.P.C to win the pending elections. It was led by a head of state and the sorcerers told the delegation to provide a number of things including old clothing of Julius Maada Bio. Also last year it was reported in the Global Times that the APC had again imported sorcerers into the country for the same purpose of winning the next elections. But all those are ignored by flag bearers who are busy falling over one another using traditional methods. Belief or non-belief let them know for a fact that Satan is prince of this world and that through his demons he has put the whole party under a spell. And this spell can only be broken by the power of the Holy Spirit. It could be seen that events befalling the SLPP are without rhyme or reason. With the present trends one feels a sense of pity for all those illustrious and dedicated candidates for the flag bearership. More is the pity for their resources, time and energy devoted to a worthy cause only to be imperilled by a megalomaniac. Already Ahmad Tejan Kabbah had capped off the disintegration process of the SLPP begun by the Margais as he united them and gave them all the favourable facilities for governance.
Resort to hope
Now that one aspirant is thinking of himself more highly than he ought to think other aspirants can only depend on hope. While the SLPP is hoping to win APC is hoping to retain power. While there is life there is hope. Nobody hopes to lose. The SLPP should hope for the best and prepare for the worst. In any case only a miracle such as brought the incumbent government to power in 2012 can remove the SLPP from the political wilderness. They have to seek divine intervention. The SLPP can rise again phoenix-like from its ashes. It is not over until the fat lady sings.
A.C.C. Abolishes Oath Taking
The attestation of income /assets/liabilities Declaration forms has been abolished this year thanks to the newly-appointed Commissioner in his exuberance. Since the establishment of the Commission the practice has been going on with the provision of a section that should be signed by a Commissioner of Oaths/Notary Public/Justice of the Peace before them. It is said that new brooms sweep clean though it does not mean removing parts of the floor. This is exactly what the new boss of the A.C.C has embarked on doing. He has decided that either the section of the form where legal persons should sign is superfluous or the forms should be signed in absentia, the latter option being a nullity. This is ultra vires but this is Sierra Leone where there is now Rule of No Law. Incidentally these forms are provided and probably formatted in consultation with the European Union. Verb.Sap.
(C) Politico 23/06/16
