Abass Bundu

Dr. Abass Bundu raised some salient issues recently regarding the SLPP party constitution. Dr Bundu, I want to believe has done so earlier so that discussions could be held now  before something adverse could happen to not only the SLPP but also to its chances of winning, if at all this is to happen come 2012. There are plans to amend the party constitution but Dr Bundu has challenged that, if attempts are being made to do so, there is the need to go to the Political Party Registration Commission (PPRC) for a proper look at the issue or else, he would be left with no alternative but to seek redress in the court of law. This is very acceptable in a democracy and as such, the SLPP should not see Dr Bundu as a spoiler, but rather one that is committed to seeing their party wining.  (Photo: Dr. Abass Bundu)

The SLPP came back a few months ago from Kenema where they made the necessary changes to the party constitutions and so it would be ridiculous for them, wanting to again make amendments to certain sections just because somebody, somewhere, wants to be the party leader, when it has been stated clearly that a serving Executive member is disqualified from contesting again for the party leadership. This is simple and clear and one does not need to have study law to be able to interpret this provision. And so for some people, now seeking an amendment is just too unfortunate for the democratic principles expected to be practiced within the SLPP but are not being seen in display.

One Soko Bana writing in The Democrat newspaper of Wednesday October 7^th 2009 has referred to Dr Bundu as one who ‘makes us convinced that the world is being confused and corrupted by those who have touched the highest echelon of academia” I wonder of what relevance is that to the debate currently ongoing and what is even more acceptable that what Dr Bundu has done. I think the SLPP should marvel at the stance of Dr Abass Bundu than attacking him at this very crucial time for the political setup in the country. Dr Bundu has decided to stay with the SLPP, rather than joining another party and I think it is the likes of Dr Bundu who should be accommodated. 

The  SLPP should be careful or else, they will get a repeat of what they witnessed prior to the 2007 elections when they took upon themselves to castigate others who were thought not to be working in the interest of the party like Margai and others, but only for them to have a bad repercussion. This is the same advice I recently gave to the APC regarding the PDP issue. 

Referring to the concerns of Dr Bundu as ‘copious but inconsistent threats…’ is most unacceptable to say the least and the SLPP should go to the drawing table and see how they could resolve the issues raised by the learned Dr.  Let the SLPP look at the issue from this perspective; a divided house cannot make an impact and from what is about to happen, the SLPP is on the verge of being divided, trust me, and in governance, the division in one house will definitely lead to the unity and the subsequent success of another house. If the SLPP is seriously divided, then the PMDC and the APC will remain to be united and they shall continue to be in governance for years. 

We have observed how the very SLPP have always referred to the APC as being an undemocratic party but it would appear that the apparent media attacks directed against Dr Abass Bundu (a man I have never met and don’t know personally except when he called me some five months back to comment on an article I ran on ASYCUDA) are orchestrated by people from within the SLPP who now see him as an outsider and a man not to trust, just because he has been critical to his own party. And so where is the democracy within the SLPP?

Dr Bundu’s critical stance on issues did not start today at the SLPP, he has also looked at things from a clear but critical perspective and this is good for human beings. In 1991, he had problems with the government of Momoh; he criticized the government because there was a clause the APC party wanted to add to the 1991 constitution, subsequently he had to leave the party; the APC. He has made a name for himself both locally and at the international front. He has served the ECOWAS as Executive Secretary from 1989–1993 and was Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister from 1994 -1995. In 1996, he was a presidential candidate for the country’s elections.

 And so if the SLPP is now being advised by this man on issues which have the potential of even destroying the party in the next couple of months or years, it will be prudent for the SLPP to listen, and as Kanji Daramy said recently, it is the democratic right of Dr. Bundu to seek redress in the court of law of he thinks the SLPP has not abide by the rules when it comes to addressing the contentious SLPP constitutional matter. The SLPP should not destroy itself, it should stop referring to Abass Bundu as being ‘mischievous’ but rather, they should come together as a party, just as the APC are now working together… An advice from the youngest PA. LONTA