MAYOR BABABODE ATTACKS POOR CHINA HOUSE
What is Bababode really trying to tell us about his attitude to his job as Mayor of Freetown by his attack on China House? We've been following this story since last week and we believe that Bababode and his jack-of-all-trades allay in the attempt to harass and embarrass China House have made an absolute mess of their pet project. There's nobody in Sierra Leone who doesn't know that what they've done to China House is very POLITICAL.
Here's a Mayor who, half way through the year has still not collected local tax and has woefully failed to clean up the real trouble in the middle of his city called Abacha street chasing a harmless entertainment spot just because the man running the place is an opposition politician. For how long are we going to be like this?
What has Bababode done about all those illegal settlements along the Aberdeen Creek and other parts of the Freetown Bay? What has he done about the drug den on Sewa Grounds where some people collect TWO THOUSAND leones from many car owners daily without a receipt? What has he done about the thousands of houses in the city without toilets? Why are so many people, including young pretty ladies resigning from the council in droves? Look Bababode, we can pack your to-do list with hundreds of assignments that bear much more direct relevance to the lives of the residents of this city than trying to close down China House.
Does Bababode know what it means to encourage marijuana-smoking young men to assemble in such large numbers in those free-for-all zones they call car wash? Look at the embarrassment those "Benghazi Boys" are causing inside Youyi Building - the main government building in Sierra Leone.
To be in the opposition is Sierra Leone takes a lot of courage. Those in power believe that by harassing, impoverishing and driving their opponents underground, their hold on power would be secure. China House is the place where former government officials go to have some fun thinking of their days at Youyi building. Bababode and his allay hate even that for getting they will have to go there some day when the day of reckoning is upon them. Welcome to Sierra Leone politics, where puerility and stupidy are in no short supply.
MUNU TAKES LESSONS IN MODERN POLICING FROM BRAZIL
These are great times to be in Brazil. For those who love to make money, the country's economy is doing extremely well and the middle class is expanding. Brazil is hosting the Confederations Cup building up to the World Cup next year and the Olympics will follow. So for those who love entertainment, mix this with the Rio carnival and you have a ball. Then for those who like to test the health of a nation's democracy just look at Brazil right now.
In the midst of some kind of economic boom and massive entertainment, hundreds of thousands of Brazilians are demonstrating all over the country against increased transport fares, corruption and bad governance, while their government is spending huge sums of money to host the games.
Our Inspector General of Police has been watching the performance of a real democratic and accountable police force - not a single person has been killed by the Brazilian Police. And we hope De Pa is also following the story because the Brazilian president has gone on TV and acknowledged that legitimate protest was a key plank of democracy and has hailed the demonstrators.
Now let's try and transfer what is happening in Brazil to Sierra Leone. Let's imagine that De Pa had decided to host the Cup of Nations (assuming we had the facilities for that). Let's also imagine that civil society groups decided to apply for permission/notification to protest against the games in such large numbers, how many of them would Munu and his men kill? In fact, would Munu even consider their request for permission to protest? A big NO. And we don't know how many killings will take place but going by Munu's record in office it's easy to guess.
In big and complex Brazil there's been no talk of threats to national security and this and that. Our democracy really needs nourishing. People like Munu who don't fit in that culture must be "forcefully retired".
TWO TYPES OF MINISTERS IN DE PA's GOVERNMENT
So we have two sets of ministers in De Pa's government? The first set is engaged in "criminal activities" while the other group is spending all the time in the world planning to succeed De Pa in 2017. That is according to an insider. All this while we thought we had a cohesive "Brazilian Team" led by De Pa, working for this nation with the skill and power of the Samba Boys to bring victory to Sierra Leone but we have a different idea now. Today we begin with the first set whose "criminal activities" may well have caused all the suffering our people are going through. We turn now to late reggae musician, Joe Hills of Culture in his classic, Mr. Sluggard. Just a few stanzas.
Have you ever worked in a coal pit
Burning fire coal for the nation to cook
I saw you all day long in the streets
Something on the side walk you a look
So tell me where you get your bread Mr. Sluggard
Tell me where you get your bread each time you eat
Tell me where you get your bread Mr. Sluggard
Tell me where you get your bread each time
You want the prettiest bootie
The new jeans cannot pass
And as you see a pretty car on the wharf
About it you start to talk
Still have ambition though
Tell me where you get your bread Mr. Sluggard
Tell me where you get your bread each time
Tell me where you get your bread Mr. Sluggard
Tell me where you get your bread each time
Did you ever push a hand cart
Full of farmers goods
Crossing the street between truck and cars
Blowing four inches across death's face
Repeat Chorus til the other category is introduced.
ACC-BOUND MINISTERS ARE VERY RATTLED
After a few weeks of searching for papers and asking questions, we can confirm that two ministers in De Pa's government will soon be called into the ACC office in Freetown to be charged for corruption. The two belong to both classifications of ministerial groups to which we were introduced this week. They are both involved in "criminal activity" and are openly holding meetings to prepare their bids for the presidency in 2017.
Our sources at the ACC pleaded for anonymity and we will respect that as a clear rule of engagement. We are not police officers whose rule of engagement is to KILL innocent people.
The trial should be interesting. They are two big guys who always consider themselves untouchables. We shall see.
In July this year, De Pa will start "sanitising" his cabinet to clear the way for his preferred successor, completely ignoring Chief Sidikie. We shall see. The chief is quietly gathering momentum and gaining friends across the country. Politico will capture the highlights.
OSUOFIA IN SOUTH SUDAN - DID HE NEED A VISA?
Great Osuofia is off to South Sudan to speak on regional security matters. That's wonderful eh? First of all, did Osuofia need a visa at all? South Sudan is a new country and we are not familiar with their foreign policy but it will be interesting to know. Our information is that the Americans have neither granted nor rejected him a visa. He is in some kind of a visa limbo, if you like. Osuofia has a problem with visas. And that's very serious for somebody like him who still nurses the ambition to rule this nation. A lofty ambition indeed!
Anyway, we wish him well on his trip and we will be happy to read his speech and generally get an impression of how the SLPP man is received in Garang country. We have to say a few things though:
1. South Sudan is not as stable as Sierra Leone because their big neighbours to the north are jealous that the kid brother has a lot of oily toys to play with. From time to time they send bullies across the border to steal from the south. Osuofia should be careful not to get caught up in the mess.
2. Osuofia must at all times, even when in bed, put on a flak jacket and helmet because fighting could break out at any time.
3. Osuofia must have his luggage packed and travel documents ready at all times. He may well have to be evacuated to Uganda.
4. The SLPP man should never try tasting night life in South Sudan. His physical structure tells of a man living in prosperity so he could easily be targeted as one of the new corrupt generals running that country.
5. Osuofia should be sure his passport does not expire while he is away like it happened to De Pa somewhere in the world when he was opposition leader. UNA DON FORGET? We have retentive memory at Politico.
6. Osuofia please remember to declare your earnings from this speaking engagement to the National Revenue Authority. We don't want to have to call you in for tax evasion. Good Luck Sir.
