By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Wooo! Wooo!! Wooo!!! Mr. President, are you finally starting to see what I’ve been warning you about? Are you beginning to realize the dangers lurking within your leadership? I’ve been trying to tell you time and again about the waywardness, particularly that of your Chief Minister. Or is this all part of a grand strategy? your version of the divide-and-rule tactic, reminiscent of the late President Siaka Stevens’ “Bandalay” method or the “dog-eat-dog” approach? Whatever the case, the chaos is becoming clear for all to see. And now, we have to ask: Are you losing control of your own government?
Let’s start with the recent controversy over the MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation) Agreement. Mr. President, how is it that the accolade for the success of the MCC has been handed to your Vice President, yet your Chief Minister is going around loudly claiming the credit for himself? You’ve faced the nation and credited your humble Vice President as the pillar behind the MCC. But here comes your Chief Minister, boasting that he single-handedly salvaged the deal by meeting with the MCC team in the United States. How can two key figures in your administration offer such conflicting narratives about something as important as this?
I must ask: Why are you allowing members of your government to act like rogue elements, each pursuing their own interests? It’s beginning to look as though you’ve lost control of your own administration. Yes, Mr. President, you heard me right. You are losing control. You’ve allowed this young man—the Chief Minister—to believe he is larger than life, going toe-to-toe with other officials like Dr. Sylvia Blyden. He thinks he’s the end-all and be-all of your administration. And what has it led to? Chaos. Division. Confusion among the public and within your party, the SLPP.
Mr. President, in our last discussion, I reminded you of the immense potential Sierra Leone possesses. This country is rich in natural resources—diamonds, gold, rutile, and bauxite. We have everything we need to prosper. Sierra Leone could easily generate USD 27 billion annually if our resources were properly managed. Yet, it seems you’ve tied all your hopes and beliefs to the wind—the United States. Mr. President, the U.S. is like the wind: you can feel it, but you can’t catch it. Chasing after MCC funds while ignoring the vast wealth within our borders is like searching for crumbs when you already have a feast laid out before you.
If I were to advise you, Mr. President, I would urge you to come clean with the people. Be transparent about the MCC Agreement and its connection to the Tripartite Agreement. There’s no shame in addressing the nation and clarifying who truly contributed to this deal. In fact, being upfront with the people would show magnanimity and honesty. But “Ayyy Yaaa,” I know you, Mr. President. You won’t do that. You tend to pretend to be deaf when things go wrong, much like former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari did to his people. When the truth becomes uncomfortable, you retreat into silence, leaving room for confusion and false narratives to spread.
Now, let’s talk about the SLPP. Mr. President, “Yu Don Mek Dis Man Wan Scatter Even Di SLPP Party.” How could you allow such Behavior from your ministers? The Chief Minister’s inflated ego isn’t just causing problems in your administration; it’s tearing the SLPP apart. It’s as if he’s on a mission to create chaos within the party, to the point where long-standing members are growing increasingly disillusioned. And you? You remain silent.
This is a call for action, Mr. President. You need to set the record straight, not just for the sake of your administration but for the sake of the nation. The MCC Agreement is an achievement that should be celebrated, not turned into a political battlefield where egos clash. You must face the people and tell them the truth. Who was the architect of the MCC success? Who truly worked behind the scenes to secure this deal for Sierra Leone? It’s time to be honest. It’s time to lead.
What we’re seeing now is nothing short of gaslighting. Your Chief Minister is downplaying your efforts, Mr. President, and making it look as though he single-handedly saved the day. But the truth is, leadership isn’t about who gets the credit. It’s about who gets the work done. And in this case, the nation deserves to know the truth. The Chief Minister’s attempt to steal the limelight not only undermines the Vice President but also erodes the public’s trust in your government. The longer you allow this to continue, the more it looks like you’re enabling the very dysfunction that threatens to tear your administration apart.
I am calling on you as a concerned citizen and as someone who wants to see Sierra Leone move forward: Set the record straight. Face the nation and tell the truth about the MCC Agreement. Warn your Chief Minister to stop fanning the flames of division and to fall in line with the rest of your government. We can’t afford this kind of disunity at a time when our country needs strong, decisive leadership more than ever.
Mr. President, the nation is watching. The people are waiting. The time to act is now.
