By: Alhaji Abubakarr Bah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In a 1948 speech to the British House of Commons, former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill popularized a version of philosopher George Santayana's quote: "Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." This timeless wisdom resonates deeply with the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) in Sierra Leone, as they face a critical juncture in their history.
The SLPP is currently plagued by internal divisions and power struggles, threatening to derail their chances of success in the 2028 presidential elections. The party's founding principle of "One Country, One People" seems to have been forgotten, as politicians prioritize their own ambitions over the party's unity. The ongoing struggle to succeed the President, His Excellency Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio has exposed deep-seated divisions and Campism within the party.
Founded in 1951, the SLPP is Sierra Leone's oldest political party and one of Africa's oldest. Its founding fathers, including Sir Milton Margai, envisioned a united country, but internal politics has led to a deviation from this core principle. The party's history is marked by periods of division and defeat, including the 1967 and 2007 elections.
The party's first major setback came in 1967, when internal strife led to defeat and decades in the wilderness. Following Sir Milton Margai's death in 1964, his half-brother, Sir Albert Margai, was installed as Prime Minister, causing serious division. According to Chapter Two, Volume Three A of the Truth and Reconciliation Report, the Governor General used the ambiguous Section 58 (2) of the Constitution to appoint Albert Margai, bypassing the more popular John Karefa Smart. This led to the party's defeat in the 1967/68 elections, followed by political instability, one-partyism, and dictatorship.
The SLPP returned to power in 1996 with Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Tejan Kabbah as President, but faced another major setback in 1997 when the AFRC military Junta overthrew the government. Kabbah was reinstated in 1998, but faced another challenge in 1999 when rebels almost overthrew his government.
In 2005, the party's convention was marred by intimidation and manipulation, leading to Charles Margai's departure and the formation of the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC). The PMDC siphoned off 13.89% of SLPP supporters, contributing to the party's defeat in the 2007 elections. The SLPP lost the presidency to the APC, led by Ernest Bai Koroma, who won the runoff election with 54.6% of the valid votes.
The current situation is no different, with multiple candidates vying for the party's flagbearer position and some party members feeling disenfranchised. Some aspiring flagbearers are active government personnel whose agendas are inhibiting the President's agenda. The elder's council is moribund and made redundant by the actions of some SLPP operatives, as the party slides into chaos.
To avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, the SLPP must unite behind a popular candidate who can bring the party together. The delegates must elect a leader who embodies the party's core values and can consolidate the country's peace and stability. The party needs a unifier, a level-headed candidate who can heal wounds and lead the party to victory.
President Bio's tenure has been marked by significant challenges, including several coup attempts, the most notable being the November 26, 2023, foiled coup, which was one of the most violent in the country's history. Despite these challenges, President Bio remains focused on delivering on his Big Five game-changers, aimed at transforming Sierra Leone's economy and improving the lives of its citizens.
As the party prepares for the 2028 elections, it's crucial that those vying to succeed President Bio do not hinder his efforts to achieve these goals. The SLPP must unite behind a popular candidate who can build on the progress made and lead the party to victory.
The stakes are high, and the party's future hangs in the balance. The SLPP must put aside their differences and work towards a common goal: retaining State House in 2028. The party's leaders must take a cue from President Bio's commitment to leaving office in 2028 and focus on selecting a successor who can carry the party forward.
With 18 aspirants already in the running, it's time for the party to come together and choose a candidate who can unite the party and lead it to victory. The SLPP's fate is in their own hands. Will they learn from history and unite, or will they repeat the mistakes of the past and perish? The choice is theirs.
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