INCUMBENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN THROWN OUT OF OFFICE IN NIGERIA
At what point does an incumbent discover he was on the point of being thrown out of office? We know this is a difficult question because these things are normally kept deep down in the heart of the incumbents. But for media people like us, we notice little signs of the incumbent losing his grip on things as election day draws near. Let's have one example from Sierra Leone in 2007 and the other from the recent election in Nigeria.
1. One the eve of that election that swept the Green Movement from power, a police officer who was part of the security detail of the Vice President and Green Movement presidential candidate Solo B was disarmed and beaten by other officers in the course of him carrying out his duties. When Solo B, who was head of the Police Council at the time was asked how he reacted to the incident, his reply was, "I am devastated." A journalist colleague told us, "The man is finished." He was indeed.
2. Goodluck Jonathan turned up to vote looking somewhat resigned. It took forty minutes for the biometric machine to recognise it was dealing with the most powerful man in the country. Yes it's just a machine but those little signs are worth noting. Interviewed after that incident, he told the journalists to talk to INEC about that that, no smiles even - straight from the textbook.
Nigeria is a powerful country in this region and they mean so much for us in Sierra Leone. We are watching the unfolding events closely. Long live the democracy, Long live Nigeria.
ATLAST THE JUDICIARY SPEAKS OUT IN MAJOR CONSTITUTIONAL CASE
Kan Kan Kan appears to have had the last word, at least for now in the constitutional case brought to the Supreme Court by Chief Sidikie against the Attorney General and the selected VP. He didn't mention the Brazilian team this time (Brazil performed woefully in the last World Cup), but he continued with his football imagery in a really big way. He likened De Pa to a goalkeeper - the man with the ultimate responsibility to stop the ball from entering the net when all backline defenders are beaten. That was a great spectacle on the popular 98.1 radio programme.
As always with Kan Kan Kan, he didn't mention the possibility of goalkeeping howlers like that of England goalkeeper Robert Greene during the World Cup in South Africa. The interview was pre-recorded so we couldn't put this point to him. We take this opportunity however to put it to him that millions of Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad, think we have just conceded a spectacular own goal.
We respect the press release published by the Judiciary the other day. We are in fact happy because, at least it will bring to an end, heated partisan discussions on this issue and indeed stop politicians acting like spokespeople for the highest court in the land - Kemoh Sesay went to parliament and mentioned the Supreme Court, Karamoh Kabbah, Kan Kan Kan and others have all been shouting the name of the Supreme Court.
According to the press release, everything is set and together with our colleagues in the media we shall be there to witness history being made by the honourable judges of Mama Salone.
BRITISH NAVY EBOLA TASK FORCE SAYS GOOD BYE TO SALONE
It is very possible that by the time the British naval vessel Argus docks in a UK port, there will be a new Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street to welcome them home from a very successful mission to this country. We hope they don't return any time soon to help pull this nation out of another epidemic.
The British Navy arrived here at a time when we appeared to have run out of ideas in our fight against the Ebola outbreak that was spreading across the MRU. It wasn't long before neighbouring Liberia made a dramatic breakthrough against new infections so some people began mounting pressure against the British team. When we tie that in with their initial blunder at Kerry Town, things weren't looking too good. But they worked according to plan and most Sierra Leoneans now feel satisfied they are leaving at a time when infection rates have fallen to less than FIVE a day in the whole country. We wish them well.
Of course, there were many other players around but the British muscle was massive and we will miss them.
But what will they miss?
1. Well because they came here for Ebola, they will miss the conclusion of the gripping spectacle of government officials, civil society and NGO bosses being quizzed in COMMITTEE ROOM NUMBER ONE of parliament building. We understand they spent hours watching that on TV in the evenings, sacrificing their date with TOP GEAR on BBC TV. They probably won't go back to watching Top Gear because Clarkson has been sacked for punching a producer. Good presenter but too much wahala.
2. Some members of the team will also miss our beaches. You guys didn't see anything because of Ebola restrictions. Please book a holiday out here in Summer 2016 and experience real Salone hospitality.
3. If you guys didn't take any postcards with you, please send us a text message at Politico so we can post some to your base. Watch out for the Cotton Tree.
4. We have no idea how much local food they consumed here but our mighty CASSAVA LEAVES with beans has surely left an impression on some of them. Don't worry people, It's easily available at Rhy Lane Peckham, fresh from Newton, Sierra Leone.
5. We are quite sure the Brits made some friends here. Please don't be too worked up when you get calls from your friends in Sierra Leone starting with HOW DE BODY? and ending with COULD YOU PLEASE SEND ME SOME POUNDS? A positive reply keeps the friendship going.
DEAR FRIENDS, HOW ARE THINGS NOW AT DR. ORMAN'S PUB?
Should we really be asking this question? There is no pub in this country that hasn't been badly hit by the Ebola outbreak. These days the pubs close too early for the usual activities and people are very broke - NO CASH, absolutely no cash. But the last time we visited, we saw a lot of guys from SLBC trying to be happy.
We spent about one hour observing things because during that period we only bought a few pints of soft drinks. The friends from SLBC offered a few more but we turned the offer down because it was getting too close to regulation time and we were not sure the offer wasn't part of a ploy to ingratiate with the boss. Thanks guys, we will consider that next time.
We are very sorry to ask this: How much is this pub activity impacting quality programming on the state broadcaster? Maybe not. But we want honest answers. We are tired with one-sided programming and what looks like a deliberate attempt to promote just one narrative, obviously that promoted by the Red Movement. SLBC will never change...time to look for credible alternatives.
© Politico 02/04/15
