Editor’s Note: This column which is dedicated to critically analyse the political dynamics of this country, now makes a further cursory glance at the succession saga within the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) Government when His President, Ernest Bai Koroma bows out in 2018. Jo-Nyangu writes.


Although most African leaders loathe the idea of peacefully leaving power, the examples of the late Dr. Siaka Probyn Stevens, the first President of the Republic of Sierra Leone aka Pass ar die, and that of the late Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, are two examples that distinguish this nation as an exception to the idea of leaders clinging on to power until they either die there or are either booted out in coup d’états or killed.

The credit also goes to the present Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) flag bearer aspirant, Retired Brigadier General Julius Maada Bio, who, even as a Soldier, allowed the democratic process to prevail back in 2002, which brought a civilian President to power, contrary to the examples in Ghana and the Gambia, where Military leaders transformed themselves and won elections by every means to become Presidents.

Even now, as the days for the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council Elections draw near, many party stalwarts, out of the figment of their own imagination, far removed from any Presidential approval by the sitting Head of State, see themselves as the fittest replacements of the Pa, in anticipation of his exit in 2018.

Well, in the first place, some people erroneously believe in their financial muscle as the main criteria for their legibility to such noble office, irrespective of their age and their membership status in the AOPC.

Such category of people are those who belong to the old order of doing things, when financial might was all that it took to sail through the game.

This posture is heavily present in some aspirants in the APC but the personalities are advised, in their own interest to reconsider their intentions or even have in-house consultations before going public, so as not to implicate the Pa as being part of their ball game, when, in fact he is not.

Critically analyzing the APC with regard to who should honestly replace the Pa, the finger should, if not for age, point first, at people like Eddie Turay, and second, at Vice President Victor Bockarie Foh.

There may be others but these two people were and still are known in this country to be the greatest loyalists of the APC, even in the days of the Military interregnums, when only they were heard challenging the juntas and ECOMOG forces, while most of those who are today coming forward, fled to areas of hibernation until the waters got calm.

From all indications, the APC, unlike the SLPP, is a party of comradeship and gratefulness to its faithful supporters.

Even the appointment of Victor Bockarie Foh to the high office of Vice President, did not come as a surprise to many political observers who are very conversant with the APC style of party administration and governance.

Whatever his shortcomings, Mr. Foh’s administrative experience, astute political strategies, unflinching loyalty and sociable tendency, with tolerance to all and sundry, qualified him for that high office.

Sierra Leoneans may therefore not be surprised to wake up one morning and learn that Victor Bockarie Foh has been anointed as the flag bearer for the APC for the elections in 2018.

DISCLAIMER: This article expresses the author’s report only. The opinion, views and facts expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Sierraloaded or its administrators.