January 10, 2022
Albert Baron Ansu
The ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party has come out of its national delegate conference in one piece- the party is still holding together. Needless to say the election was tense with tough canvassing across the country to win delegates. But in the final analysis the peaceful outcome of that conference makes the difference in political consensus building
One thing has come out of the election of party officials for tenure of three years. It is telling us that the oldest and biggest party in the country is evincing political maturity. Its internal wrangling and cross fire especially for the position of chairman that was hotly contested, mellowed down for the wider party interest. This is a sacrifice to muster strength in retaining power.
This is democratic acculturation that is becoming a footprint of the party. Those partisans who contested for positions and were quite confident of winning but lost have not turned sour grapes to attempt to bring down the roof. It was a given fact that President Bio was going to be endorsed. The ruling party has thus crossed a major milestone ahead of 2023
When we say the positive things about the ruling party by reason of the political maturity of the ruling party, it is highly unlikely that the opposition All Peoples Congress will come out from its national delegate conference united.
Their internal political trend has been very tumultuous and it is still saddled with litigations. This is not going to reassure its constituents that the political future can be reconciled. One potential source of a fractious political future for the APC is the issue of coming out with a flagbearer. The long list of those who want be the flag bearer is one serious problem to note. Much more serious is the fact that former President Ernest Bai Koroma who carries himself as owner of the APC is sure to influence that position by behind the scene cash in. And this is going to have a disintegrating effect. Time might not in favor of those discontent opposition politicians who would want to form their own political party. But it is possible they will declare for the ruling party out of frustration. Already the factions within the APC are some many to give us an inkling of the ominous signs looming over the opposition party. Your bet is good as mine: the political future of the APC is clearly dicey and it will surprise all if they are going pluck a leaf from the SLPP.