UNMASKING THE VEIL: A PLOY TO UNDERMINE PRESIDENT BIO’s POLITICAL LEADERSHIP HIDDEN IN ATTACKS AIMED AT DAVID SENGEH

On December 16, 2023, at a National Executive Council meeting in Freetown, one resolution was to set up a committee to review the 2020 SLPP Constitution. Thirteen names (including the National Secretary-General) were highlighted, and the National Secretary-General automatically appointed a Secretary to the committee. At the same time, they waited for the Party’s Leadership to select a chair from among the twelve. The committee’s composition includes the current Speaker of Parliament, the former Attorney General, Anthony Brewah, the SLPP-NA Regional Chairman, the Western Area Regional Women’s leader, the National Young Generation leader, and other notable Parliamentarians and Party stalwarts.

As enshrined in Article 6C(1)(a) of the 1995 SLPP Constitution, the President, who wields the Party’s Political leadership, decided that David Sengeh, out of the twelve, should Chair the committee. However, we heard a few loud folks call for David’s resignation from the Committee because they felt David had developed a Presidential ambition within nine months of his appointment.

THE INSINCERITY…

To start with, in an ideal world, the primary objective of every Politician is to serve in appointed or elected offices. So whether that ambition is Presidential or otherwise, we all seek to serve and lead. In that case, it is okay for people to pre-empt that if David, in six years, rose from the Chief Innovation Officer to the Chief Minister, his next ambition might be the Presidency.

However, in that very committee, my fraternal brother, Speaker Segepoh (Liberator), the third most powerful man in the Nation, is also pivotal. Umaru Napoleon (Dictator), a politician from his youthful days and now the Party’s Secretary-General, is the Secretary. Yeama Kassay is one of many women who are representing women’s voices. Stay with me now: Can anybody in their right senses say Liberator Segepoh’s political ambition is confined within the wells of Parliament? Will Dictator Napoleon retire from service to the Party and hold no ambition to lead the Party as Chairman or even the next President/Running-mate? Or that Yeama Kassay’s presence in the committee confers an undue advantage because she might choose to run for National Women’s Leader.

The point is that every member serving on that committee has a brighter political future and the right to aspire to something higher than their current capacities.

A QUEST TO TOPPLE PRESIDENT BIO

Having observed all the attacks aimed at David Sengeh, I can only conclude that What may seem to be an attack on David Sengeh contains a more profound and darker conspiracy geared first towards undermining President Bio’s Political leadership and subsequently overthrowing him should their plan A fail. One may say you’re exaggerating this. But why aren’t they attacking all the others on the committee who may aspire to lead the Party? Undoubtedly, their ambitions will be tailored by the document they are reviewing. However, their target is President Bio, who has appointed David as Chair. What we see as a social media cry is an evil conspiracy fueling doubt in President Bio’s leadership.

TO OUR SLPP YOUTHS

For the first time in our Nation’s history, we’ve had a Cabinet that looks more like us than our Parents. We owe His Excellency President Bio a massive thank you for appointing political leaders who reflect our values.

These Political leaders are United in their drive to deliver President Bio’s Big Five initiative. They know the rarity and importance of the opportunity they have been entrusted with. The Political confidence level of the Young Generation within and outside the SLPP has skyrocketed, leading to many believing or being convinced by others that they have what it takes to succeed President Bio.

From a concerned youth, I ask that you be wise and not allow anybody to use your voice to execute a grand scheme. I reiterate these attacks on David Sengeh are attempts to render President Bio politically weak. They started by pulling down the Radical Inclusion ideal that the President had propagated internationally.

This vehicle was used to deliver the FQSE in our first term and then attacked the SLPP NYGC, which successfully lobbied for 30% youthful representation in government. I wouldn’t be surprised if this gravitates to a coup financed and executed by disgruntled SLPPiers who would go to the ends of the earth to eliminate President Bio.

Be sober, be vigilant, and stand up to their evil deeds. If the time comes and David declares his intention, you have the right to campaign against him, but undermining his role in this government will eliminate our youthful representation.