I have been following the political development in Sierra Leone between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the National Grand Coalition (NGC).

This political family marriage did not come as a surprise to many Sierra Leoneans because of countless insinuations and actions leading to this arrangement between the two parties.

In a joint press release, the parties stated that they had resolved to work together to promote inclusive governance and national development amongst other reasons.

Even though knockers describe the SLPP/NGC Alliance as a masqueraded political repatriation to the party Honourable Kandeh Yumkella known had deserted after his unsuccessful bid to become the Sierra Leone People’s Party flag bearer for the 2018 general elections, my stance on the alliance is that KKY with his NGC party members has the right to form an alliance with any of the Political Parties in Sierra Leone.

I also believe that if things do not turnout like the PMDC/APC political matrimony forged in 2007, this alliance if both parties genuinely work in the interest of the country, Sierra Leoneans will probably see positive impacts in the country in terms of developments.

However, because of the experience with similar political alliances wherein one of the supposedly third force throwing support for one of the major parties in the past, I would rather not be too pessimistic or optimistic on the positive impact such alliance would bring on the political dining table.

Traditionally, as the June 24th elections draw closer, Sierra Leoneans are witnessing the episodic transfer of some Politicians particularly from the main opposition abandoning their parties to seek political asylum to the ruling party (SLPP).

Some of these reused politicians fictitiously give all sort of reasons for abandoning their political parties. Example of such justifications are that HE Maada Bio is transforming the country.

On the other hand, political pundits say some of these unreliable politicians were part of politicians who had allegedly pillaged the country’s resources during the Ernest Koroma era and are now seeking political safe haven for their ill-gotten wealth while some of them are seeking revenge against EBK for whatever he had done wrong to them.

In KKY’s case, immediately after meeting with President Maada Bio and his Vice President Dr. Juldeh Jalloh, honourable Yumkella twitted that, “We have reached a crucial turning point in our political history, where we prioritize peace and set aside personal ambitions for a better salone.” The view expressed by KKY underpinned the basis of the alliance between the ruling SLPP and NGC.

In addition, the joint press also release re-echoed KKY’s moves of setting aside his personal ambition to become President of Sierra Leone, at least for the next five years where it is stated, “We have agreed to pull our resources together to ensure the victory of President Julius Maada Bio in the June 24 Presidential elections and the candidates of our respective parties at both the local councils and parliamentary elections”

In view of the above, since the public has very inconsiderable information about the nitty-gritty of the agreement between SLPP and NGC, my questions to both parties are:

Is the NGC going to fill in candidates for local council and parliamentary positions in the SLPP strong holds, and will the SLPP do the same in the NGC strong hold example in Kambia?

If yes, don’t you think both political parties’ competing for the same seats across the country while in such an alliance has the propensity to create bewilderment in the minds of ordinary voters as to which of the political parties they should vote for?

Example of the issues that have the propensity to create confusion for voters when choosing between the SLPP and NGC political parties in the June elections are glaring in the SLPP /NGC joint press release where it states, “Both parties will continue to engage effectively and coordinate on various national issues including designing a common governance platform and campaign massages drawn from our respective manifestos…” In this regard, people will be confused as to which of the political parties they should cast their votes for.

Importantly, since Hon. Yumkella has forgone his aspiration to becoming President in this 2023 elections because he believes in HE Bio and also for national unity, cohesion and development, so what if for argument sake, HE Bio wins second term, and after the expiration of his second term, will KKY still set aside his ambition for the person replacing HE Maada Bio in the 2028 Presidential elections?

Inversely, will the SLPP not fill in candidate for the Presidency in 2028 in order to reciprocate what the NGC has done in this 2023 election to throw their support for KKY?

Will KKY resign from the NGC and join the SLPP to get the SLPP’s stakeholders’ support for the flag bearer position in the SLPP? How does this work?

I pray that this family marriage between the SLPP and NGC works out well for honorable Yumkella who seems to be searching for the right platform to contribute to the development of Sierra Leone.

It is on this note, I enquire about how strategic the strategic alliance between the SLPP and NGC is.
I rest my case.