Are the SLPP hierarchy doing their job?
On 30 December 2009 I wrote an article titled “The SLPP Hierarchy’s Deception – Major Cause for Concern” and this is a follow up to that article.
I am perturbed by the fact that Dr Kadie Sesay, and Alpha Timbo both senior members of the SLPP executive have declared their candidature and are conducting an open campaign for the forthcoming Flag Bearer Elections in March 2011, when the rules require that they must resign six months prior to the election in March. If this rule is correct then the pair should not start their campaign nor declare their intentions until sometime in September when they would be resigning. Perhaps this newspaper might be able to seek clarification on the rules from other credible senior members of the SLPP, if there are any. Assuming that the six months rule is correct, where will the hierarchy draw the line? Letters have been sent out to members in the provinces instructing executive members not to conduct any form of campaign or show support for any candidate, but Kadie Sesay and Alpha Timbo are doing exactly what they are stopping other people from doing.  I suppose this is like the saying ‘do as I say but don’t do as I do. Is this not bullying? Surely it is.
These people must not be allowed to usurp their position to the disadvantage of the other candidates. If they are allowed to continue to do so, then the message that will be going out is that the SLPP preaches one thing and does the opposite.  I wonder how come the SLPP hierarchy cannot see that a conflict of interest exists or perhaps they do but pretend not to see it because of the hierarchy’s selfish motives, which, are contrary to the interest of the party in general. Does the SLPP seriously want to have another taste of Power? I don’t think so. Does the hierarchy truly believe that the members of the SLPP are so stupid that they will not be able to read through or analyse their thinking? I hope not. This begs me to ask the question: why would the voters of this country believe that the SLPP is a credible party when they are doing all the wrong things in full view of the public?
The manner in which the business of the party is being conducted can only give credence to the rumour that is going round that, the hierarchy is working very hard to ensure that the Flag Bearer position is not clenched by a non-executive member or members who are not of the hierarchy’s choice.  The hierarchy is failing to realise that the Flag Bearer should not be chosen, influenced or imposed upon the people by them. It is the delegates who should decide on this issue because it is the only body with Constitutional mandate to decide who should be the next Flag Bearer and not the hierarchy, or what the hierarchy considers to be a panel of credible members. It is common knowledge that some SLPP big guns are very strong pillars of some corrupt candidates whom according to rumours will be subject to commission of inquiries should they get elected.
If the SLPP is serious about taking over in 2012, the message to send out to the delegates is for them to seriously start working on how to determine whether a candidate is likely to be seen as corrupt. As far as I am concerned, persons who hold positions in government and whose salaries could not justify their wealth are corrupt; it’s as simple as that. It should not take the delegates long to be able to decide on this. Delegates should be encouraged not to be fooled by being showered with money. For those delegates who are so poor and are unable to say no to such temptation, they must be made to be aware that they should not let money influence their decision because they could end up electing the wrong person.
This brings me to discuss the issue of the non-refundable Fifty Million Leones (Le 50,000,000) required to be paid by each candidate in order to be eligible to contest in the Flag Bearer election in March 2011. The explanation given for this is that the party needs funding for the 2012 election. This is understandable but the amount is far too ridiculous. What they are not telling everyone is that they are using this amount to eliminate certain candidates who will give their candidates a good run for their money and who may not be in a position to easily pay that amount without it affecting the funds raised for their campaign. Quite a number of the candidates who could easily afford the fifty million Leones have held very big positions in the government and have made so much money out of the government coffers that, the Le50,000,000 to them is peanuts. These candidates are supported by the hierarchy, so any panel chosen to select persons who should proceed with the campaign to the next level will be biased in favour of these corrupt candidates.
In a country of democracy, everyone should have the right to be able to contest an election with the exception of those who accepted positions knowing that they will not be eligible to contest if they take up any position that will make them not to be eligible to contest for the Flag Bearer. In this regard such persons have the same right to contest but by their own choice had decided not to contest but settled for the other position. This is not discriminatory in any way.
To be in opposition is not the easiest thing in politics so the SLPP needs to put their house in order if they really want another taste of power. Members of the SLPP must heed this warning.
Sahid Mustapha
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