WHAT IF?

During the opening of Parliament, we witnessed an incident that has been on the lips of many Sierra Leoneans. The incident has sparked a number of debates, while some citizens have even resorted to mounting insurrections and publishing press releases. Some have even threatened to hold a nationwide protest, if nothing is done, if Justice is not served, and if a lousy “apology” is not tendered.

This incident has to do with a chant that the First Lady of our republic, Fatima Bio, claimed was directed at her. The chant is the famous Doctor. Olo’s song “U coco ros o”.
We first heard of this song during the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) 14th National Delegate Conference, after the announcement of the various results.
In fact, the First Lady, the President and the Vice President were seen cheerfully dancing to “U Coco Ros.”

But shockingly, the First Lady has accused a number of individuals, who allegedly engineered this famous “Coco Ros” chant in a bid to embarrass her while she was being ushered into the Well of Parliament. In reaction, she refused to observe protocols, plugging an earphone while her husband, the President delivered a speech.
The Speaker of Parliament is yet to make any official statement regarding this incident, even though the First Lady alleged that he may have been briefed on the said issue.

But what if this drama is a calculated move by the government to sway the attention of the public from asking meaningful questions; that may stem from the president’s speech? The president in his address, spoke of the Big Five Game Changers (Feed Salone, Human Capital Development, the Youth Employment Scheme, Technology and Infrastructure Development and Public Service Reform). The president averred that his government has made significant progress in the area of food sufficiency.

“We are making strong and steady progress toward food self-sufficiency,” he claimed.

But I need not mention the number of our countrymen, who sleep on an empty stomach each day. Neither do I have to mention the number of men, who have lost their respects in their respective homes, because they cannot feed their families. That was for you to laugh out anyway.

He furthered that his government has made considerable efforts in the area of “youth employment” through the many projects his government has embarked on. Do I also need to remind you of the many youths, who are “hopefully” jobless and are wandering each day? Sadly, some of these youths have even resorted to the intake of harmful drugs and substances, that have eventually wrecked their future for good.
In fact, some of these harmful drugs and substances are being brought into the country by some individuals who hold very high and indispensable positions in the country.

There had been times, when these individuals were caught, but they walked freely, unchecked. And most times, one can trace their connection to some highly placed individuals within the government.

Again, though we often hear flamboyant speeches during each Youth Day celebrations, the impact of those speeches is still yet to be felt by the youths. Even with these speeches, the youths are left to face scalding effects of a bad system that continues to bury their potentials.

Do I also need to mention the number of graduates that roam about the streets each day to find a job? Some have managed to secure one, but they are grossly underpaid. Some graduates have even resorted to doing menial jobs in a bid to survive.
With all of these mentioned above, the government is turning a blind eye to the sad realities that suck blood out of the youth, claiming to have embarked on human capital development that does not exist in reality. This is a complete misnomer.

By now, we should be asking critical questions that may subsequently help us holdthese public officials accountable. Rather, most of us have chosen to jump on the bandwagon, debating the incident that transpired between the First Lady and some parliamentarians. They are all politicians, and we should not fall for their funny and deliberate tricks. This dramatic move by Her Excellency may have been a deliberate ploy to sway us from asking meaningful questions and fact-checking the too many ambitious statistics mentioned by the President in his speech.

Most of these statistics are just figures that have no practical evidence, completely detached from the reality in the country.
Politicians have taken us for granted because we are quick to fall for their petty tricks and pranks.

Where were these activists when the First Lady publicly called some public officials “dogs”? In fact, some of these officials are women. Or was it that, that incident didn’t worth advocating for? Let’s ponder!

Let us be clear, the incident that happened in the Well of Parliament has nothing to do with the “violation of women’s rights”. It was a case of a politician feeling the toughness of politics, it was a case of a politician feeling the bite of the scorpion “dirty” politics they play. Politics is a very tough game, not for the weak. And women’s participation in it will not dilute it either.

Aside the fact that most of these activists are using this moment to be in the good books of Her Excellency, we must also endeavor to ask critical questions that will let the President know, we are not oblivious of the “statistical inaccuracies” in his speech.

Till then, let us continue watching the live Facebook and TikTok videos that are gearing towards dissuading us from holding His Excellency and his cabinets accountable for all that they promised to do, and for all that they are not doing right.