December 21, 2021
On December 29-30, 2021 the SLPP will gather at a National Delegates Conference in Bo to elect a Chairman, among other activities. As a party with a deep tradition of respect for internal democracy, the election of the SLPP’s executive has always been a moment of anxiety, intense competition and sometimes near-destructive rancor. The party accepts the inevitability of these challenges as it remains loyal to internal democracy.
The up-coming National Delegates Conference in Bo however, should be less acrimonious and more predictable if delegates have more respect for commonsense and put the interest of the party first. There are three people vying for the position of Chairman; including the incumbent Prince Harding, veteran SLPP politician Momodu Koroma, and new entrant Batilo Songa. All politicians enter electoral races with their supporters touting their respective credentials and strengths. Unfortunately, the credentials and strengths of both the incumbent Prince Harding and new entrant Batilo Songa are very limited and hollow. The measure of the credentials and strengths of Prince Harding and Batilo Songa as hollow is taken against what Momodu Koroma offers. All things been equal, and where only the SLPP’s interest matters, Momodu Koroma will win the Chairmanship elections with the greatest ease. The delegates at the elective conference in Bo would have to simply evaluate the three candidates in respect of what they have to give the SLPP.
First, the delegates in Bo would have to consider if it serves the interest of the party to have a Chairman who is highly technically competent, with vast relationships within the international community and at home. When elected, Momodu Koroma will be the most technically competent and experienced Chairman of any political party in post-war Sierra Leone. Momodu Koroma will use his unmatched technical competence and experience to focus on internally building the SLPP. Momodu Korma’s unmatched technical competence, experience and social finesse will prove highly valuable and respected when required to be an interlocutor with the international community, other political parties and external actors, on behalf of the SLPP. Prince Harding and Batilo Songa have no standing in these regards. Instead Prince Harding and Batilo Songa’s thuggish and “ranka” exuberance will be a source of constant embarrassment for the SLPP; a party that takes pride in intellect and civility.
Secondly, the delegates in Bo would have to consider whether they want to take any risk of having a Chairman whose pursuit of material things and rank hustling will be a constant source of embarrassment for the SLPP. Among the three candidates only Momodu Koroma is a safe bet as a Chairman that will not bring embarrassment to the party through coruption.
Thirdly, the delegates in Bo would have to consider whether the SLPP desire a Chairman that is more inclined towards restoring internal calm and unity in the party; which are highly desired as 2023 draws near. Among the three candidates vying for the position only Momodu Koroma can be such a Chairman. Prince Harding and Batilo Songa thrive on building camps, division and burning bridges. It has never been part of Momodu Koroma’s politics to sow division, create camps, and burn bridges.
Fourthly, the delegates in Bo would have to consider averting the risk of having a Chairman who will have no scruples to be disrespectful to the President, the Vice President, and cabinet ministers. Momodu Koroma will not disrespect the President of the country because he wants a job for himself or his wife. Momodu Koroma has never been disrespectful to any President in Sierra Leone. His upbringing and demeanor do not permit him to be disrespectful to anybody, let alone the President.
Lastly, the delegates in Bo would have to consider whether the SLPP desire a Chairman who would be passionate about affirming the party’s traditions and values. Among the three candidates, Momodu Koroma is the only one that will have passion about restoring and affirming the party’s traditions and values. He has been involved with the party the longest; with unblemished pupilage under illustrious elders like the late Teacher Lagawo, the late Mana Kpaka, and the late Ahmed Tejan Kabbah. Momodu Koroma knows what the party stands for. Prince Harding has no interest in traditions and values; because his transactional instincts readily predispose him to betray what the SLPP stands for personal interests. Delegates would only have to recall the open secret about receipts of illegal payments from people who wanted the SLPP party’s symbol to contest the 2018 elections. Batilo Songa is an ultra-novice in matters of the party’s heritage; and he has no desire to be part of any arrangement that requires respect for traditions and values.