“2012, 12 o’clock sharp, APC out SLPP in”
“2012, 12 0’clock sharp, APC out SLPP in”- these are a few of the expressions that are circulating among the Sierra Leone GOP which I find very interesting, but the question I will always put across is, “Is there any strategy to strategize the possibility to make the above slogans possible?” (Photo: Adeyemi Paul)
Two years have gone by and yet, the SLPP has failed to realize that the APC government was an opposition for over a decade before emerging as the government of today. I mean over ten good years. With that, they had been manipulating ways and means on how to democratically succeed the past SLPP government for which they believe is not doing enough to satisfy the people of this country.Â
The APC leader, President Ernest Bai Koroma, and his counterparts meticulously did their homework to bring about their success. Some of the homework that they took care of was to study the Sierra Leone People Party (SLPP) keenly, find out their weaknesses, and use that against them. Indeed, it worked for President Koroma and his APC administration!
Remember, for over five years President Koroma was a Minority Leader of Parliament, hanging around with the ruling party top brass, studying them closely, he infiltrated the past Government while planning his counter attack on how to take them on without the bloodshed and excessive violence of previous elections. President Koroma did this so diligently and passed this test with flying colors! That’s just a little lesson I thought the GOP could have learned from, instead of depending on a miracle to happen come 2012.
The party has no planned strategy in place, not to talk of a flag bearer as at yet! Some of the other problems I find interesting in the Sierra Leone People Party (SLPP) is that the party goes to great lengths to politicize everything, from shirt colours to friends, always insisting that they will only associate with same party members. In this case the SLPP.
What a shame it does not put in the same effort on important issues such as a common strategy for the next election. If these ideologies do not change, the SLPP will remain popular as a political party but the possibility of them winning an election will be very slim and they will forever remain the GOP.
Another interesting thing is, since the closure of its voice box Radio Unity, the SLPP has lost its path of communication with its members and prospective members. In this day and age where there are many other ways of communication; I see no reason why the closure of a radio station should limit their connection with citizens. Why can’t the party use other means of reaching out such as newspapers, the electronics media, advertising, person to person, television, private media organizations, etc?
There are so many ways of communicating, shutting down a radio station does not mean the end of the party, if at all they want to make the possibility of “2012, 12 o clock sharp, APC out and SLPP sharp” is a matter of must!
The SLPP has to recognize the fact that the APC government is well equipped in more ways than ever before, nationally, internationally, and financially. They corrected any mistakes made as quickly as they possibly can. Their party is united and getting stronger each and every day. Above all, it is an undeniable fact the President, Ernest Bai Koroma is working hard as the father of our nation. The three decade long Bumbuna Hydro project which was one of his main priorities during his campaign as a candidate has almost become a positive must in his first two years in power. Also, improved infrastructure, the National Revenue Authority’s tax reclamation, empowerment of women, and the cajoling of potential investors, including the just concluded International Investors Conference in London showcasing Sierra Leone, shows that though the country’s economy is seemingly down hill, developments are still a positive sample of the President’s Agenda for Change projects, and should not be underestimated at all. Sierra Leonean is more conscious than ever before.
President Koroma’s strong stance on the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), in allowing them to act independently without any government intervention, and his recent dismissal of two prominent ministers, also demonstrates his determination to rid the country of the disease of corruption.
With all these developments by the Koroma lead administration, I think I will offer the following advice to the Sierra Leone People Party: Try and put your house in order, take up the real issue rather than being cry babies all the time. Study hard, and even harder, make your case to the people of this country if there is one, in order for the party to avoid another embarrassing defeat come 2012. A word to the wise man is quite sufficient.
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2009, https:. All rights reserved.
