Abdulai Mansaray: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 4 February 2019:
Some political scribes may have already started writing the political obituary of the APC Party. Amid the recriminations, accusations and several theories postulated to identify the reasons for its failure to win the 2018 elections, a significant part of the blame has been showered on the party’s Leader and chairman – Ernest Bai Koroma (EBK).
To his credit, Ernest rightfully and humbly shouldered the blame for the loss, and he duly apologised to the party faithful. Although many had hoped that he would resign after the elections, some feel that Ernest has stayed on, so as to right the wrongs for which he was the senior midwife and architect.
The loss may have hurt his personal pride more than most, because it happened under his watch. Losing from a winning position was like snapping defeat from the jaws of victory. Perhaps, this is why he wants to stay on to engineer a return to victory. But again, hubris might be at play here.
The last APC party national convention peeled off the veneer of the battle of the intra competition between Bombali and Port Loko membership within the party. Many had hoped that it was the turn of the Port Loko lineage to take the mantle, with the “Apprentice” Alpha Khan at the helm. That’s what apprentices do when their bosses depart.
Since Sam Sumana recently paid homage to Ernest and other APC big guns in Makeni, the rumour mill has been in permanent overdrive. There is no doubt that Sam Sumana took away the whole of Kono District with him, when he was unceremoniously sacked from the party.
We cannot minimise the impact this had on the outcome of the election results. But we need to acknowledge that Sam’s political demise in Kono was rooted in anger, sympathy and protest, which are not only emotive but volatile.
This is why when Sam was reportedly toying with the idea of backing the APC in the run off for the presidential election, the seething anger was understandably palpable.
His followers were made to look like the outsiders who wept more than the bereaved. We saw photos and video clips of youths burning T-shirts with Sam Sumana’s picture on social media, to demonstrate their anger over his rumoured “defection”. Et tu Brute and a thousand deaths come to mind. Betrayal is the only truth that sticks. But as we all know, nothing is permanent in politics. A day in politics is a long time and 2023 is a long way off.
That anger and the notion of the outsiders weeping more than the bereaved resurfaced after the recent visit to Makeni. Sam has repeatedly maintained that his visit was to make up with his boss. But others and especially his supporters in Kono have been spitting feathers, threatening to “switch” their loyalty to the SLPP, if Sam should jump ship, or do the prodigal son U-turn.
But let’s take a hike on the hypothetical road map of the APC leadership, come 2023. Who is going to succeed Ernest Bai Koroma and lead the party into the 2023 elections?
We can all agree that Dr. Samura Kamara’s ascent to the top of the APC tree was nothing short of last minute.com. Against all odds, he successfully positioned himself as the man to lead the APC. Some are born leaders, some achieve leadership and others have leadership thrust upon them. Take your pick in Samura’s case.
Whether Samura had the leadership thrust upon him does not matter now. He has come closest in becoming the tenant of that building near The Freetown Cotton Tree, just up the hill and opposite NP fuel station. Some call it The Sierra Leone White House.
While other “would have been” candidates of the APC are still licking their wounds and mauling over what to do next, I am sure that Dr. Samura has been, and continues to consolidate his base across the land to mount another challenge.
But it will be a monumental mistake to conclude that the battle for the leadership of the APC will be a two-horse race. One should not assume that there are no crocodiles, because the water is calm.
There were over 20 aspirants who vied for the flag bearer position of the APC, until Ernest wielded the axe. Prominent among them were heavy weights like Joseph F. Kamara (JFK) – the former Attorney General; Dr. Kaifala Marah – former Minister of Finance and Economic Development; Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray – former Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources; Captain Alie Pat-Sow – former Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources; Alimamy Petito Koroma – former Minister of Works, Housing and Infrastructure; and Mr John Bonnoh Sisay – former Chief Executive Officer of Sierra Rutile Limited.
Will all 2018 APC presidential aspirants throw their weight behind Samura or mount another challenge? Will Ernest have the same authority to rein in their support for his “chosen one”?
It looks obvious that the APC party will have a rocky road to traverse in the years ahead, as they try to regroup and present a united front. Can you smell blood on the carpet here?
So where does Sam Sumana come in here, if the rumours are to be believed? Will the APC party choose Sam as forerunner, and gamble on the eventual divisions that will ensue in Kono if Sam “defects”?
If the people of Kono continue to feel betrayed by Sam, will they pay him back in kind with their loyalty?
So, who stands to gain from these apparent cracks in the APC party? Many see the flirtatious bromance between Ernest and Sam as a very risky playground politics. This entente cordiale may run the risk of further splits within the APC party.
There is no doubt that the SLPP would have noticed these potential cracks, and may take full advantage of these seeming chinks in the APC armour. By the way, Maada Bio has promised to build a University in Kono.
For the sake of discussion, what will happen to C4C, if Sam decides to go red again? What will Samura and his supporters do, if he is dethroned as a one season wonder? Will the APC 2018 flag bearer aspirants like JFK, who was presumed as the man with the best chance to succeed Ernest, just sit back and allow their previously expressed political ambitions to die unnatural death?
Will Ernest, who some feel had betrayed them still carry the gravitas to keep everyone singing from the same hymn sheet? I can’t wait to see the choir group in full voice.
With the APC trying to navigate its way out of, or through the meandering waters of the Commissions of Inquiry, you may be forgiven to think that the APC has enough on its plate. The next leadership contest may go down as one of the biggest cross roads it has faced in its history.
The party has an enviable record of seamless transfer of leadership in its ranks. I know that this is hypothetical, and as dormant as the contest for the leadership may appear at present, the road to 2023 may prove to be rockier than it looks.
In the absence of Ernest Bai Koroma, has anyone got the nuance to unite the party together as one, at the moment? On the other hand, Sam Sumana is known to play his cards close to his chest. He has fine-tuned the art of leaving his opponents guessing; a trait he may have picked up from Ernest (Orbai) Koroma.
But as he continues to keep his followers second guessing his next move, does Sam Sumana also run the risk of sleep walking C4C into a political coma? Is Sam about to saw off the branch he is sitting on? Sam should know that the wind that exposes the chicken’s nakedness blows from the back.
As for the APC saying that it will not attend the COI “until certain conditions are met”. Let us remember that “An Umoufia man does not refuse a call,” “He may refuse to do what he is asked; he does not refuse to be asked.”
The APC must pride itself on the generosity and willingness to listen. Irrespective of our political differences, Sierra Leoneans all over agree that corruption is killing our country and it needs to be tackled. But by asking its members not to attend the COI, is the APC running the risk of being seen as the party that is against this fight?
Does it run the risk of being labelled the party that is pro-corruption? A man is innocent until proven guilty. By refusing to attend, is the APC admitting collective guilt, even before it is found guilty? Only the guilty are afraid. APC should be careful before it is seen as the Party that is corruption friendly.
There are many who may sympathise with the APC’s stance. However, refusing to attend may not be the cleverest position to take. There have been many COIs in the past, going as far back as the days of Pa Sheki; ask Victor Foh – the former vice president.
Some of us never knew that Ernest Bai Koroma (EBK) conducted a COI on assuming power, and not many people noticed then. Victor Foh was banned from politics when voucher gate was instigated under Pa Sheki, only for EBK to reinstate him to even vice president status.
The late president Tejan Kabba was banned from holding public office after his days with the SLPMB, but went on to lead our country out of oblivion from the RUF.
With the exception of the NPRC, almost all incoming governments had conducted COIs, as if it is a ritual on assuming office. Some of us even see COIs as a political whitewash with no effect.
But never in the history of our country or the life of COIs has any individual or political party ever refused to participate. Irrespective of any legal merit their arguments may carry, the APC should think twice about how they go about their protest. If the average voter is led to believe that the APC does not support the fight against corruption, five years is not long enough to forget.
You may have just handed the SLPP another vote winning mantra, come 2023. It is one thing to win your base, but it takes a whole country to win a general election.
I got some flak for lamenting the seemingly selective political muteness of both the NGC and C4C in my last article. Fair enough and I know that it comes with the territory. Many supporters of NGC feel that Chief Yumkella has been vociferous on the current state of our political discourse, and that my views were unfair. Fair enough. But if that is the case, perhaps he has not been loud enough; add some more decibels. There comes a time when silence is a betrayal.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter (M. L. King). Don’t forget to turn the lights out when you leave the room.
I’m considering restarting the Helicopter service from Lungi Airport to Lumley, now we have a new exciting future. Its time to bring some prestige back to show our visitors.
Welcome Mr Ross. We need to have a country that does not tolerate CORRUPTION. TOGETHER, WE CAN.
All those responsible must bear the consequences of corruption. Sierra Leone is a small country to develop but there are people who only buried their heads in the sand to destroy.
How can they live with such problems? While people are suffering to survive their lives, others are enjoying the wealth which should be used so that everyone can have something to live on happily.
I am sure SLPP IS NOT LIKE THE APC. SLPP REALLY CARES FOR THE POPULATION AND NOT AS APC. MAY GOD FORBID THEM FROM COMING TO POWER AGAIN. WE ARE TIRED OF THEM, ESPECIALLY THE LEADERS.
May Allah help and guide our brother and leader.
Fellow Sierra Leoneans this country belongs to all of us. Lets put everything aside and build our motherland. President Bio is a Sierra Leonean, that is why he has a very great interest in the country. I am saying this because wherever you come from as an individual you should have love for it. But some of our brothers are from Sierra Leone but do not have great interest in this country. Let us pray and support what the president dream is so that we should practice it. This country belong to Sierra Leoenans and no other nationality is to be tasked to make mama Salone. May God protect President Bio and all of us
Mr. Bundu thank you very much for that eloquent wonderful statements from the bottom of your heart. This country is ours, and that’s why we work hard for the future of Sierra Leone. Thank you..
The argument is going round, and round, and round – at times almost tangential to the central point.
Why is the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) not at ease with Ernest Bai Koroma (EBK) being the Chairman and Leader of the All Peoples Congress (APC) party? Is it SLPP’s prerogative to determine the structure and composition of the opposition party? Why is the SLPP not focused on the bread and butter issues of the country, in which at the present time, about 7 out of 10 people are struggling to find a decent job?
Yes, EBK is eventually going to relinquish his position in the APC party; but the current weather does not dictate such a stance. EBK’s vessel is presently in the middle of the English Channel, amid a rough winter season, and being subjected to turbulence, coupled with mountainous waves thrusting on both portboard and starboard sides of the ship.
To the eyes of the crew, it is only the old hands of Captain EBK that would be able to manoeuvre this super tanker out of these troubled waters. Then, and only then that the ‘old’ Captain would look back among his eminent deck officers, and hand over the steering wheel (helm) to the most competent Chief Mate.
There are some quarters in the argument (or discussion) that are insinuating that EBK is old, he has passed his sell by date, and it is high time he handed over to a younger man. This group pretends to be blinded by the fact that in about 2 weeks time, a 76 year old man would be contesting fiercely the position of president, in the most populous country of Africa – in President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria. And the president of the most powerful nation in the world, President Donald Trump, came to power (on January 2017) at the age of 70. Hence, in political terms, EBK is relatively a young man at 65.
So, what is the fuss about EBK’s age?
Whether one is a professor of aeronautics, a general with 5 stars, or the richest man in the world; in politics all these may seem as irrelevant traits. The most important attribute in politics is CHARISMA. Without this magical characteristic, political leaders across the world seem to superimpose themselves on the populace as substantial actors, and eventually become dictators.
Why is the current leader of Sierra Leone – Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio – not comfortable in an atmosphere wherein the likes of EBK are lurking as counter forces to ensure that the country is steered away from dangerous terrain? Why is the ongoing argument (or debate) about the leadership of the country so peripheral and not hitting the nail on the head? Why are the deliberations running away from the essence of healthy democratic principles?
Mr Turay, you seem to suggest that the writer is an SLPP supporter. Wrong. You also suggested that the writer was questioning EBK’s age. Wrong again. Unlike you, the writer does not belong to any political party and therefore enjoys the rare opportunity to write without any emotional attachments.
Sadly for some of you that have political affiliations, it is difficult to disguise your anger, disgust, or otherwise. Sometimes, you can have very good points, which sadly get lost in translation. At no point was any reference or insinuation made about EBK’s age.
Besides, except for obvious reasons, there are many APC members who have concerns about the future leadership of the party. The writer did not do this piece with any adulterated emotions. Perhaps, a second read of the article may help.
Nevertheless, we need these variances in opinions, as long as we keep it healthy and civil. What may appear to be the truth, can sometimes be hard to fathom.
It is natural to change willingly or otherwise based on the determination of the leadership. God help and bless Sierra Leone; just do it right, not just for today but for the future. God help us.
It is truly bewildering to note that our former President Ernest Bai Koroma is championing the call to boycott the commission of inquiry. As a former head of state and fountain of honour, one might be tempted to think that his love for Sierra Leone and the maintenance of the fragile peace we enjoy today may be paramount on his mind. But that does not seem to be the case. His public repudiations lend credence to the accusations of sabotage and the attempt to stoke tribal tensions.
He may have forgotten that he promised Sierra Leoneans that he was going to run our country as a business. Well, it is now time to account for his business dealings and transactions. Frankly, I see no need to fuss and postulate, except if there is something he does not want the nation to know about.
But be as it may, we the people want to know how our hard earned money was spent. I do not think this is too much to ask right? His infamous Vice President Victor Foh, might have said it better when he said, “If you know you have not committed any crime, then you have nothing to worry about.” This coming from a celebrated crook, who has gone down this same path is a revelation of how twisted and dark our politics has become.
Indeed. Just add some decibels if you are not happy with the criticism. There comes a time when silence is a betrayal as Mr. Mansaray rightly said. People should not forget to turn the lights out when they leave the room.
Mr. Mansaray, thank you for your articles as always. The pressure should be kept on our politicians till they yield the results they promised their constituents and the country.
I have a view Mr. Mansaray as regards to Chief Sam Sumana. What Chief did by visiting former president Koroma was a tactical move in every respect rather than a political one. To be honest, I was one of many people who was upset by his visit to former president Koroma. But as we all know, in politics, you must keep pushing and scanning the terrain. Later on, I understood his decision and respected it.
Chief Sam Sumana is not only a potential presidential candidate; but a potential president. No doubt about that and let no one doubt the resolve of the Kono people. Chief Sam Sumana still has the capacity to rally a good number of the Kono’s around him. His ambition has always been to become president of The Republic of Sierra Leone. So, if he manages to bag the APC around him and carry take the kono people with him, that will cause a hell of a problem for president Bio come 2023.
I doubt that the APC will rally behind him; but will not rule it out. We must also remember that Chief Sam Sumana has some support in SLPP territory. He even employed some SLPP members whilst he was VP. Just imagine the extent he wanted to reach the other end of the political spectrum.
In fact, some APC supporters were not happy about Chief employing SLPP supporters. As I always say, 2023 in terms of the present political situation is not very far. There are a lot of unknowns that will change the political landscape before 2023.
As for the commission of inquiry, the APC know exactly what they are doing. No one will believe their reason for not complying with the commission of inquiry or allowing former president Koroma to still be their leader. They have intellectuals and highly educated individuals who know a lot of things. They just want to be politically stubborn to the commission. It’s all dirty politicking.
I think we have to live with this behaviour and see what happens.
Oh mbranke.molakonya.
Former President Koroma is not only holding the APC Party to ransom but also the country. What does EBK want to hide from his fellow Sierra Leoneans by stubbornly wanting to stay in power or cause civil unrest?? Here are a list of his previous attempts to secure power after his official term of office;
1. More time campaign
2. Chairman for life of the APC Party
3. Getting rid of Sam Sumana
4. Single handedly choosing the flagbearer of the APC
5. Election lost but EBK wont rest
6. Intimidating the government institutions in Makeni
7. Refusing to appear if called upon by the COI
How long are we going to sit down and watch him take our country down the drains. My advice to our former President is for him to obey the laws of this country and channel his grievances through the courts. If he does that, I’m prepared to forgive him and will one fine day like to meet him personally!!!
I’m a international investor in Sierra Leone. I love the country and its people. With the new government and its new commission of inquiry, it may give me confidence to make more investments into this great country.
My Mbranke you are a faculty for most of us in Sierra Leone and beyond. Please do not stop educating us as it takes a lot of time and energy to accumulate your type of knowledge. You have guided APC in your post. As a strong SLPP, I pray that they don’t take guidance.