By Abdul Kuyateh
After nearly ten years of brutal governance characterised by harsh economic and social realities, the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) is bound to give way to a new dispensation that will restore hope and dignity to a nation suffering under the pangs of misrule.
As the political temperature rises by the day in both the ruling and opposition parties ahead of the 2028 general elections, the fate of the electorate remains hanging on the pendulum, with acute uncertainty whether the Opposition is well positioned to bring about the yearned for change.
Given the abysmal performance of the Bio-led government in the last seven years, Sierra Leoneans are in a rush to have an alternative political administration that will usher a new era of social, economic and political emancipation; a new dawn of hope, freedom and equity away from the current dark chapter of governance bastardization.
From the writing on the wall, the deepening intra-partisan intrigues and parochial self-centeredness plaguing the opposition All Peoples Congress, have the proclivity of self-denial to the throne.
With approximately sixteen aspirants vying for the presidential bid of the Party, it takes good counsel, good faith, honesty, fair play and integrity for the party to put forward a candidate who is roundly fit, competent, knowledgeable in the nature of the country’s political fabric, widely known in every nook and cranny of the political geographical units (house hold name) to tactically dislodge the SLPP.
It is important for the APC not to take the SLPP with a pinch of salt or treat them with levity; any stupid miscalculation or underestimation of a more than determined incumbent regime like can be seen in the “Paopa”, by the APC for self-aggrandizement of lust for suit of office and the love for money is blatantly suicidal and will be regretted woefully.
The primaries are just around the corner with an almost expired National Executive that intends to prolong their stay to conduct the primaries and the National Delegates Conference (NDC) to elect a flagbearer. The stakes are very high with almost all the vying candidates with the exception of few, highly qualified and of high profiles. I have the strong conviction that the de facto national Executive, which also intend to run for national positions is devoid of good faith to ensure the level playing field and credible transparent process for a deserving candidate to emerge and gain victory for the party. In the eyes of well meaning and reasonable people, the very reason of time constraint, should justify the setting up of an independent, interim and impartial body to manage the conduct of the primaries devoid of grudge and vested interest, which can jeopardize the winning chances of the party, much to the detriment of the suffering masses; and also perpetuate the acrimony legacy that characterized the structures and general membership of the party in the last two elections in 2018 and 2023.
In my opinion, based on some facts, the most senior politician in terms of high political office held, is the former vice president, who at one time acted as President and performed well during his tenure. Undisputable, he shared the credit of the legacy of the former leader of the party and former president of the Republic. He was wrongfully removed from office and wickedly expelled from the party he was born in.
To date, only unfounded speculations abound as to what went wrong that led to such an unsavoury history of the party. Now that justice has reigned and the former vice president gloriously reinstated, he is poised to take his rightful turn in the leadership of the party to reset the nation and redeem its people without prejudice or revenge. As a Global Peace Ambassador, his composure, silence, and smiles over the years have gone a long way in healing wounds and demonstrating leadership maturity.
With him at the helm for the presidential contest, the APC will certainly bounce back and the cry for electoral justice fulfilled in a new dimension.
Let me conclude with a loud call to party Executives not to skew the process; not to confuse the delegates at the NDC; not to dance to the tune of God Fathers, but to put party and nation first. Like Donald Trump would say, APC First! Sierra Leone First!
