MAADA!! What's the future now - 15

Below report is from Sierra Leone Telegraph: 18 December 2016.

Will the Sierra Leone opposition SLPP SURVIVE ITS LATEST KNOCKOUT BLOW?

The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) is in the habit of knocking itself out every now and again – a habit it has come to perfect, since losing the 2007 elections. But will it recover from yesterday’s bout with its own demon?

Yesterday’s resolution passed by a group of its National Executive Council (NEC) members, to suspend a number of their fellow executive officers, including the party chairman and leader – Chief Somano Kapen, has brought the party closer to the edge of disintegration.

Although the party has faced serious instability, chaos – and many would say anarchy, since it lost the 2007 presidential and general elections, there are questions now as to whether the party can seriously recover from what looks like a palace coup – staged yesterday by a group of NEC executives, believed to be supporters and sympathisers of presidential aspirant – Julius Maada Bio.

The suspension of the party leader and chairman – Chief Somano Kapen – in abstentia, also raise doubts about the constitutionality of yesterday’s NEC meeting and the validity of the resolutions passed.

But critics of Chief Somano Kapen (Photo) say that he has become a lame duck chairman, who has lost the confidence of the majority of members of the party and their supporters. They say he is incompetent and deeply partisan.

What is not in doubt however, is the fact that since his election as party chairman and leader in 2013, Kapen has struggled to assert his authority and maintain order and discipline across the party.

He has become a hostage to fortune to those factions of the party, whose single objective is to further the personal and political agendas of some of those seeking presidential office in 2018.

Yet his supporters, of which there are many, say that Kapen’s difficulty in maintaining order, the rule of law and discipline in the party has little to do with incompetence and lack of leadership skills, but more about the determination of a few disruptive elements whose mission is to make the party ungovernable, so as to topple and have him replaced by a chairman who is pliable and sympathetic to their cause – the Maada Bio presidential candidacy.

But after presiding over a series of deep rooted internecine disputes and Supreme Court battles in the past three years, Kapen’s leadership is far from being described as effective.

He has lost control of his executives and the trust of many of the rank and file members who are now tired of the infighting and lack of party discipline.

So why has Kapen been suspended?  

This is how the publicity secretary of the party – Lt. Rtd. Lahai Lawrence Leema, announced yesterday’s resolution to unceremoniously suspend Kapen and others:

“Following the resignation of the elected National Secretary General – Mr. Sulayman Banja Tejansie, the deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alie Badara Kamara, who has been acting in the said capacity since the suspension of Mr. Tejansie, has now been upgraded to the substantive Secretary General, while Lawyer Umaru Napoleon Koroma appointed by the National Executive Council (NEC) as the new SLPP Deputy Secretary General.

“Additionally, the Chairman and Leader of the  SLPP and five others have been suspended for acts contrary to the party’s ideals, philosophy and programs of the party, pending investigation by the disciplinary committee of the SLPP.

“NEC therefore resolved that Dr. Alex Prince Harding – the Deputy National Chairman and Leader of the SLPP be acting as the National Chairman & leader, until the substantive chairman and Leader Chief Kapen faces the disciplinary committee of the SLPP to answer questions for flouting provisions of the SLPP 1995 Constitution as amended, which thereby brought the image of the party into disrepute and public ridicule.”

Whilst Kapen may no doubt be seen as an affable and friendly chap with whom many would have a pleasant and intelligent discourse, it seems his affable personality may have become his greatest weakness.

The SLPP is a highly diverse and complex political party to manage.

And with this diversity and complexity, comes the challenge for any leader to be able to instill discipline, enforce party rules without fear or favour; and more importantly, to set aside minority and personal objectives, in favour of party interests.

Has Kapen shown strong leadership, clear direction, non-partisanship and assertiveness, in the face of the huge challenges and complexity, posed by the vociferous and sometimes violent and disruptive behaviour of those factions, whose respective short term interest is about ensuring that their aspirant for the 2018 presidential election wins the party’s flag-bearer race?

But irrespective of Kapen’s short comings, do the party rules allow for the suspension of the NEC chairman by his fellow NEC officers?

Can they decide to suspend him at an NEC meeting that was believed to have been irregularly convened and not quorate? Was the motion to suspend on the agenda of yesterday’s meeting?

Was the chairman present at the meeting? Was he aware of the motion to suspend prior to the meeting?

If the answer to these questions is no, then yesterday’s NEC decision to suspend Chief Kapen will be seen as a palace coup.

This was yesterday’s NEC agenda

One of the executives at the meeting sent the following running commentary as the NEC meeting was in seating yesterday:  “Chief Kapen, Chairman and Leader of the SLPP has been suspended alongside Victor Sheriff.

“Dr Prince Harding is now the Acting National Chairman and Leader of the SLPP. The mandate of NEC has been extended till after Convention that’s to take place on February 24, 25 and 26th 2017, in Kenema.

“All Lower Level Executive Elections have just been ratified by NEC. Dr Abass Bundu is reading the rules and regulations for the position of presidential nominees. Le120,000,000 as candidature fees has just been agreed  by NEC .

“NEC meeting is in progress.  Nominations have just been made. We are going to take a vote on them. We have just filled the vacant position of Secretary General.  Ambassador Allie Badara is now the new SG.

“NEC life span has been extended to February 28, 2016. The Convention date is 24, 25 and 26 February 2016. The Elections for the National Executive and that of the flagbearer shall be done concurrently.

“The 24 25 26 February 2017 agreed date for the next delegate and flag bearer conference. The Venue is Kenema.”

But condemnation of yesterday’s meeting has been swift and passionate. A senior member of the SLPP told the Sierra Leone Telegraph:  “They (NEC) went against all the rules and regulations you could think about in this world to get to where they are.  The NEC meeting was called without Kapen’s consent. This is not legal under the SLPP constitution. That means the Maada Bio group held a meeting that is unconstitutional.”

According to some supporters of Kapen; “The rules and regulations agreed by the country’s Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) as gazetted and later amended, were flouted by the Maada Bio supporters on the NEC – popularly referred to as ‘Paopas’ (by any means necessary).

“Instead of the delegates list authentication to be done concurrently by the Constituency Chairmen, District Chairmen, etc, all was done by the Regional Chairmen. This was completely wrong.

“In principle the Regional Chairmen are responsible for the mess the Party is in at the moment. Even when a court injunction was in place during the past days, they proceeded to hold the district and regional elections at secret locations.

“If SLPP  is behaving in such undemocratic manner, how are we expected to oppose APC if they do likewise. More, importantly SLPP may field a candidate as Flagbearer that was not elected in accordance with the Constitution, hence risking the possibility of nullification at the 2018 general election by APC.”

Other comments from SLPP members 

“SLPP has today been finally laid into its grave.  May its soul return to its founders.”

“SLPP is imploding and no one seems to have authority over the Paopas. This is Sad.”

“Instead of a party convention next year, it will be a coronation of Julius Maada Bio.”

“The Paopa faction continues to hold the party to ransom. The rest of the flagbearer candidates and non-Paopa membership have some serious decisions to make.”

“Yesterday’s resolution gives certain faction ascendancy in SLPP affairs. And this group will not put the party’s best interest above all else.”

“The party now stands at cross roads…some hard counter measures need to be decided on by genuine stakeholders and not charlatans and political hacks.”

Speaking to the Sierra Leone Telegraph last night about what the party must do now to save itself, Jonathan Tengbe (Photo) who is one of the contenders for the party’s presidential candidacy, said: “The flagbearer election must be organised by a new national executive. What they have put forward is not in the interest of democracy in Sierra Leone and Unity in the Party.

“Any flagbearer resulting from such arrangement will not be supported by a huge proportion of the SLPP membership and SLPP will risk losing the national elections in 2018.”

“My suggestion is to re-do all  disputed constituency, district and regional elections, following which we should convene another NEC meeting to discuss a date for the National Executive elections and later a flagbearer election.”

Yesterday’s event at the NEC meeting of Sierra Leone’s main opposition SLPP party may seem like the end of what many regard as a grand old party with high ideals. And in the words of a party supporter:  “I think NEC has just managed to tip the party overboard yesterday. We wait and see what unfolds.”

But it is important to put into context, what is happening in the party as symptomatic of the current state of the country’s national politics.

Democracy, and law and order in Sierra Leone are still in a state of flux. These are the building blocks of a stable, progressive and inclusive society.

But, until they are fully adopted and domesticated across all political parties in the country, Sierra Leone will continue to be governed by charlatans.

Most people aspiring for political office regard politics as perhaps their only opportunity to access or gain power to further their personal interests, or to become rich.

Sierra Leone is one of the poorest nations in the world, yet few are entering politics or seeking political leadership out of altruism and the need to serve their fellow humans. Far too many in the opposition SLPP have lost sight of what is really important in politics.

And this is true also of the ruling APC party, whose battle for its heart and soul – especially their party presidential candidacy for the 2018 elections, will soon commence. And when it does – there will be blood on the carpet.

SLPP NEC Resolution passed yesterday, Saturday, 17th December 2016:

 

 

MAADA!! What's the future now??? 14

You 

Maada Bio Is Bad News for SLPP and S/Leone

By Ranger 

 {Courtesy form another Post 27/7/16}

In response to a post which attempted to paint Julius Maada Bio as a saint and the most popular candidate for the SLPP and for the people in Sierra Leone, it is crystal clear that Maada Bio can never ever claim innocence when history is delved into.

In the first place, it is only the most ignorant person who would agree that Maada Bio is not a traitor. Everyone who was old enough to know at the time knows that Maada Bio betrayed his boss Capt. Valentine Strasser after convincing the other members of the NPRC to stage a palace coup against Capt. Strasser. Maada Bio's reason at the time was because Strasser was too ambitious and was planning to hang on to power.

However, everyone knows that Strasser was never the man Maada Bio portrayed him to be because Maada Bio's current pa-o-pa behavior for the SLPP to accept him at all cost and make him their next flag bearer is an indication that Maada Bio is not only a violent man but that he has no good intention to display anywhere.

For Blama's Finest aka London Jet to write ‘The Truth is not our Enemy' in which he makes a fine attempt to paint Maada Bio as a saint is a misnomer. To say Maada Bio demonstrated his concern by putting the lives of his wife and daughter at risk apart from his own life, shows how callous and desperate he is to lead the SLPP. 

The statement that the APC sent a paramilitary wing to terrorize the SLPP is not only a misleading statement but a deliberate attempt to confuse the issues and make the RSLAF look like they are partisan when all they are doing is their professional and patriotic duty. 

Perhaps Blama's Finest aka London Jet would like the situation to degenerate to chaos and anarchy whenever the SLPP have a public meeting and the security forces should stand by and allow them to kill each other? No, this can never be allowed to happen because the APC and RSLAF are more intelligent than that.

Talking about Yumkella in your post, it is clear to see that Maada Bio can never light a candle to Yumkella, not even when Maada Bio would have completed his so-called doctorate degree in a London university. In the first place, Yumkella is a gentleman which Maada Bio never was and never can be. Maada Bio can never be as respected and dynamic as well as loved by the people the way Yumkella is loved and accepted by the SLPP. 

Yumkella is free to travel to the USA anytime he wants and the US Embassy would grant him a visa. But Maada Bio would never dare to step his foot on American soil without risking arrest after he beat up a woman said to be his actual wife. Between the two men who is violent and who is a gentleman?

Before laying this matter to rest, it is necessary to state that the APC under President Ernest Bai Koroma  is the best thing that ever happened to Sierra Leone.

Finally, against this background, it is worth mentioning the fact that even all the members in the SLPP aspirants Alliance are of far better presidential material than Maada Bio can ever hope to be.

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The truth is not our enemy.....

Julius Maada Bio cannot be ignored!

Julius Maada Bio is the single most popular individual in the entire SLPP.

When Julius Maada Bio turns up, the earth shakes, things happen and the impossible becomes possible.

Kailahun was and is a very good example of why Julius Maada Bio has such huge mass appeal, adoration and affection from the hardworking men and women across the country.

In Kailahun, when they needed support and the physical presence of the so-called SLPP Big Chiefs only Julius Maada Bio was willing to put not only his life at risk, but his wife and precious beautiful baby daughter.

For Julius Maada Bio understands what matters most to our people:

You can throw money at us...

You can boast about your CV...

You can even impress us with your fancy autographs with world leaders....

But our eyes are wide open.

We can see through the empty rhetoric and contempt you have for us.

If we are not important enough for you to stand with us in our hour of need. When the APC Political Mafia sends its paramilitary wing aka the Sierra Leone Army to terrorise us....then it is clear for all to see that we don't matter to you.

We are not worthy of your time, and yet you claim to be our saviours??

God help us!

If the ALLIANCE of dreamers is the answer, then I fear the question.

Julius Maada Bio stood up to be counted, ready to take a bullet for us. Putting his wife and precious beautiful baby daughter at risk...

Where was the ALLIANCE of dreamers when Kailahun needed your presence and inspiration?

I guess we all know the answer:

Absent Without Leave (AWOL)

And this is the ALLIANCE of Cowards that can deliver us from APC terrorism?

Please folks, our lives should not be treated as a joke served up to assuage Yumkella's ego....

People call for unity and an end to the Blame game....

I agree!!!

Unity starts with HONESTY and a SHARED COMMON PURPOSE.

Honesty should mean and end to the stupid myth that the ALLIANCE of dreamers can deliver the North....

Honesty should mean an acceptance of Julius Maada Bio's statesmanship, courage and humility.

And a SHARED COMMON PURPOSE should mean that we all rally around our party's Biggest asset (Julius Maada Bio) and work tirelessly to end APC terrorism.

The truth is not my enemy, don't make it yours. Look in the mirror, swallow hard and join with us to end the suffering of all our people across our beautiful Sierra Leone.s

Blama's Finest,

The Man Who Conjures Something Out Of Nothing!!!

MAADA!! What's the future now??? 13

ISLPP IS A VIOLENT & UNDEMOCRATIC PARTY FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL 

By Charles Lagao

The SLPP Eastern Regional Chairman Hon Philip Tetema Tondoneh has said on both radio and TV that the SLPP is the most peaceful political party in Sierra Leone. He made this remark during interviews on both the Good Morning programme on 98.1 FM and the Podium on SLBC respectively.  

Interestingly, he also declared his support for Maada Bio against the other aspirants, claiming that his candidate is the most popular among SLPP supporters across the country. But what Tondoneh failed to realise is that if the SLPP is the most peaceful party and the Pa O Pa camp to which he belongs is being frequently accused of violence and disrespect to party elders by party stalwarts, what is the Honourable saying then? 

The former chairman and leader, John Benjamin, the current chairman Sumano Kapen, Kandeh Yumkella, John Karimu and many others have all tasted and testified that the Bio phenomenon is distastefully violent and disrespectful. 

On the other hand, the Bio (the Pa O Pa) camp has accused the JOB camp aka Game Changer as the violent ones. Hon Tondoneh did not mince his words yesterday on 98.1FM that JOB took a gang of thugs to a meeting that was supposed to be quiet and peaceful because they were there to discuss and resolve party problems. But we all know what happened.  A young man was murdered in cold blood by a bodyguard of Julius Maada Bio, although Bio claims he was, in fact, touring the northern province and therefore there was no way he could have known or participated in the act, which he himself openly condemned. Yet Tondoneh claims their party is the most peaceful in the political history of Sierra Leone. 

There's this argument that because Sir Milton Margai had an intimate relationship with the British Colonial administration, he pursued similar policies as his Colonial masters. 

According to renowned historians such as Oliver and Atmore, the policies practiced by the British Colonial Government were dastardly despotic and they were pursued for over 150 years. So Milton Margai pursued similar policies of oppression and repression of opposition views.

Christopher Allen argued in his work Sierra Leone Politics Since Independence; p.310, that the SLPP leadership (under Sir Milton Margai) were both impatient of opposition and used the Native authorities to eliminate all forms of opposition to their rule. To compel opposition MPs to cross, "they or their supporters could be jailed by Native Authority Courts and in other ways harassed by traditional authorities...Thus in Kono, the Sierra Leone Progressive Independent Movement (SLPIM) leader P. C. Tamba Mbriwa had been suspended when his party announced its alliance with the APC, and was then deposed and banished after the election." Furthermore, deliberate efforts were made by the SLPP to strangulate the newly formed APC which had broken away from the United National Front to serve as a formidable opposition to the SLPP-led coalition government. "Only in Bo could it campaign in the South, in the North, the traditional authorities and courts...were used extensively against it. Permission to open an office in...Makeni, was refused; prominent APC supporters in Bombali and Kambia were banished to the South; the APC MP for Kambia West was imprisoned by a native court; the office in Port Loko was closed soon after its opening, and the organizing secretary jailed." - C. Allen, Sierra Leone Politics Since Independence; p.310. 

The creation of the United National Front was, in fact, meant to facilitate Dr Margai's desire to "effectively decapitate all organized opposition within the country, and thus ensured his own and his party continued dominance for some time to come." This policy of intolerance of opposition propagated by Milton Margai, especially when he adopted all forms of despotic strategies to stifle any form of organized opposition proved to be calamitous for the flourish of democracy in Sierra Leone after independence.  

As for Sir Albert Margai and his reign of power at all costs, the little said about him, the better. One commentary noted that "To perenate his stay in power at all costs, Albert Margai unpatriotically, self-aggrandisingly and selfishly dispensed with the principles of democracy, and barely two months of his reign, pursued a policy of politicising the police and military." He was the first to attend the SLPP National Delegates Convention in the company of the Commissioner of Police, William Leigh and the Acting Force Commander, David Lansana. Dr. Gustav Deveneaux also once observed that "following Mr Albert Margai's ascendancy, successful attempts were made to convert the army into a partisan institution..." G. Deveneaux, Power Politics in Sierra Leone; p.35. 

It was Albert Margai who passed the Public Order Act in October, 1965 to cow the opposition APC. He even jailed four APC MPs for a whole year thereby enabled the SLPP to reduce the Parliamentary representation of the APC. Albert Margai didn't stop there as he was very much unperturbed and unrelented. He prevailed on parliament in 1965 to review "its standing orders so that absence for more than thirty consecutive days of a session without reasonable excuse led to the loss of one's seat....since imprisonment was not a reasonable excuse, the four (MPs) lost their seats." Sir Albert even declared a state of emergency in some sections of the country on the eve of the general elections in 1967. Moreover, APC supporters in Moyamba were seriously beaten and arrested while others were expelled from the area or deprived of market stalls. Out of desperation, "SLPP supporters were urged to fire on APC vehicles." - C. Allen, Sierra Leone Politics Since Independence; p.318. 

So, what does Hon Tondoneh mean when he's claiming the SLPP is peaceful and very democratic? From the very beginning the SLPP has always been violent and very undemocratic even under Sir Milton Margai who most claimed was a Democrat.  He wasn't dear readers. 

Watch out for part two...

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MAADA MUST GO!

Click Link

http://www.globalafrica.news/2016/05/30/enough-is-enough-maada-bio/

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SLPP IS A VIOLENT & UNDEMOCRATIC PARTY FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL - Part 2 

By Charles Lagao 

From day one, the SLPP had displayed leadership deficiency in coping with democratic principles. They were only used to what the Colonial Government bequeathed to them; the politics of DOMINATION. The British dominated the political and socio-economic life of our people for over 150 years. The Governor, in political terms, was a virtual dictator in Sierra Leone.  The Executive and Legislative Councils were until the dying moments of Colonial rule, crammed with British officials. As for Paramount chiefs, they were appointed, disciplined and deposed at will by the British. For instance, "some chiefs at Bandajuma were imprisoned for failing to pay their taxes and, one of them, Francis Fawundu was deposed." - W.S.M. Jones; Legal Development & Constitutional Change; p.123. 

This is just a backdrop on where the SLPP inherited their intolerant and violent political character. 

Coming back to the issue at hand, Sir Albert Margai, like I mentioned in part one of this piece, relied on traditional authorities, intimidation and fraud to win the 1967 general elections. He hated the APC so much so that it was under his rule a military vehicle was shot at because it had red markings which was accidentally the APC colour. Since they failed in their efforts to rig the elections due to divisions between them, Sir Albert Margai, Madam Ella Koblo Gulama and Brigadier David Lansana carefully and deliberately orchestrated the coup of 22nd March, 1967. - G. Deveneaux; Power Politics in Sierra Leone; p.52. 

Granted the APC opposed the SLPP for toying with the idea of a single party state, which the former eventually introduced after eleven years when the proposals were first postulated by Albert Margai in 1967 But when the people finally decided at a referendum in 1978 to introduce a one-party state in the country, the SLPP didn't take things lying down, especially when all SLPP MPs save for one, joined the APC. "In 1982 the so-called Ndogboyosoi (bush devil) war erupted between the APC government and the SLPP in the south." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Leone_People's_Party

In addition, when the SLPP returned to prominence under the leadership of former President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, it didn't take long for them to showcase their violent and undemocratic side once again. After the AFRC coup and the ensuing interregnum years (1997-1998/1999) that followed, the SLPP coordinated the large scale killing of innocent Sierra Leoneans on the streets of Freetown because they had no means to run away to neighbouring Guinea. People were slaughtered in cold blood in the name of "COLLABORATOR". Anyone who couldn't go to Guinea was a collaborator and therefore, according to some accounts, were to be treated like fouls/chickens. "Ar lek nar foul ar meet, ar go rule am," the late President Kabbah was once reported to have vowed. 

When the opposition leader - Ernest Bai Koroma of the APC  crisscrossed the country to campaign in 2006-2007, his convoy was violently attacked by SLPP members and supporters in both Kenema and Segbwema. Windshields were shattered and people wounded, although there were no fatalities. No reports were filed of similar incidents in the northern province.

As for intra-party violence, the SLPP is a mentor. The persistence of rivalry and conflicts between leading members of the SLPP have always remain. Intra-party rivalries have always escalated into wounding, mammy cussing and polemics. And with the arrival of the likes of JOB and Maada Bio on the scene, intra-party scandals and bickering have assumed a new meaning in Sierra Leone’s political history. Day in day out, there is some fighting either at the SLPP HQ at WALLACE Johnson Street or wherever they gather whether in Bo, Kenema or Kailahun. The party is fantastically lawless even when it comes to adhering to police rules and regulations to maintain public order. 

JOB has accused Maada Bio of violence and thuggery and vice versa. Dr Bernadette Lahai has also accused Bio of thuggery and violence. Chief Sumano Kapen on the other hand, believes JOB is the violent person. So, no one should be surprised that the SLPP chickens are now coming home to roost. RIP Daddy George.

MAADA! what's the future now ??? 12

CLICK LINK:

SOCIAL SECTARIANISM IN THE SLPP: The Kenema killing - is MAADA BIO connected:

An SLPP supporter speaks!

 Track:  Dakeh Gbenyama!!

https://www.spreaker.com/user/8905561/social-sectarianism-in-the-slpp-the-kene?autoplay=true

{Courtsey: Senesie Jannie Tarawally - Facebook Post}

Fellow SLPP, it is sad that we are using the death of Daddy George in Kenema to score political points. 

In the first place, we have already judged the assassin of Daddy George, and found him guilty of an act, without the due process of the law. Fonnie, is named by the mp, and Umaru Fofana, who were not at the scene of the crime, mainly because he is known as an assassin in Kenema, without even investigating the matter further. We have already set aside the criminal proof of guilt beyond all reasonable doubt, in this case, because the mp who reported the matter to the general public named Fonnie, as a supporter of PAOPA, belonging to Maada Bio. 

And the mp is not a Paopa member. The aspirants in the alliance are fanning the killing as an act committed by their enemy, Julius Maada Bio, whom they see as a stumbling block to their flag bearer ship. 

Although the killing is sad, we can not use it to vilify Maada Bio as a violent man, and attribute it to him. JOB had for long planned to hatch a plot to tarnish the good name of Maada Bio, so that he can meander his way to the SLPP presidential leadership, which he can not do while Maada is running. 

We saw it in 2012, when he intrigued to torpedo Maada Bio at that election, through various treacherous manipulations. But Maada was smart for him. Ever since the 2018 presidential election was mooted, JOB has been jittery, and mischievous towards Maada's candidature for the position. Is there no sinister movement in the assassination of his body guard, to lay the crime at the door of Maada Bio, who is a stumbling block in his way?

If not, why did the mp who reported the assassination to the world, name Fonnie, and even insinuated that he was a miscreant in the Kenema township, even though he was not at the scene where the crime was committed? Was it a set up? Or an accident?

I saw a situation like that in the seventies, during the Siaka Steven regime. Kanray, and some APC thugs waylaid M S Mustapha and Salia Jusu-Sheriff, on the Kenema/Bo road, while they were returning to Freetown from an SLPP campaign in Kaikahun. 

The driver of the vehicle saw the ambush in time and manoeuvred to avoid them being killed by the thugs. In the process, Kanray, one of the APC thugs, was killed on the road. The next thing we heard was that Jusu-Sheriff and Mustapha had killed Kanray with their vehicle, even though they were passengers in the vehicle. They were arrested, and charged with murder, and locked up at the Pademba Road Prison. Mustapha and Jusu- Sheriff were tried snd found not guilty of the murder. This was the early party of the APC rule when the one party had not been established, and the judges were in their cocoon of justice. 

As you read the polemic articles on the assassination of Daddy George, you can hear the voices of the members of the alliance, who are disappointed that Maada has stolen the show, and beaten them at the race. They want him removed by hook or by crook. The alliance has not worked to sideline Maada Bio, so they are looking for another avenue to defeat Maada, by implicating him with the murder of JOB's security. S K Foyor did not minx his words, in his video. He squarely laid the murder at the door of Maada Bio. PAOPA should bless its stars that Maada Bio was not at the scene of the murder. If he was, he would have been arrested and charged with the murder of Daddy George. This what JOB and his alliance are looking for, through their machinations. 

What is disturbing in the whole scenario, is that members of the SLPP shy away from fighting the APC, which is their opponent, and are determined to fight Maada Bio, who is one of them mainly to oust him from the flag bearership. 

What is the reason for that? Is it because he is a Mende, or he is considered to be disciplined and strict to rule a country that is infested with corruption, filth and nepotism. 

Are we sure that a third party is not involved in this assassination saga which is blamed on the SLPP? As I watched the incidence on the Independence Day, in Freetown, on the video, I could see the police and APC thugs in plain clothes, arresting innocent SLPP party members in the party office and on the street, even though they had not violated any law. The ruling party and the police were only flexing their muscles against the poor opposition who were vulnerable. And guess who are the witnesses against the SLPP in the case? The Mendes of course!

An alliance member has blamed the killing of Daddy George on Maada Bio simply because Maada had once said, "while the cat is away, the mice play". I fail to see the connection between that proverb and the killing of Daddy George, unless we can say that the killing itself was premeditated and orchestrated by the alliance to implicate Maada Bio because of that proverb. For me, the proverb merely states that you are claiming popularity in the polls because I am away. When I am in the country, I will dwarf your popularity. 

Maada Bio has nothing to do with violence and intimidation. If he was a violent man, he would have reacted when Christiana Thorpe denied him victory at the 2012 polls and told him to go to the police. A violent man would have even thrown stones at such blatant rigging of the votes. The violence which JOB orchestrated in Kenema with the two parallel executives, has just boomeranged against the party, with serious under tones that a compassionate  police should thoroughly investigate without fear or favour. 

Maada Bio has nothing to do with violence. He has exonerated himself, and offered condolences to the bereaved family and the party. The party should now look under its foot to see if there is any subterranean movement by the alliance to strip Maada of the opportunity to run the race, and give themselves the boost to overtake him. But the alliance should be careful not to over reach itself and fall on the other side. 

Joe Genda.

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Government of Sierra Leone

Ministry of Political and Public Affairs

Press Release

29th May 2016

Political Violence in Kenema

On Friday 27th May 2016, the Ministry of Political and Public Affairs received  reports about  skirmishes among Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP)  supporters in Kenema. 

The incident reportedly started as a disagreement between two main SLPP factions in what was supposed to be a peaceful meeting , then later developed into a serious stand-off between supporters of Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio and Mr John Oponjo Benjamin. 

The situation reportedly led to the destruction of private property and the killing of a young man believed to be a supporter of Mr. John Benjamin. Police have since arrested a key suspect also described as a staunch supporter  of Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio.

As we unreservedly condemn this act, we wish to express a serious concern over the recurrence of political violence especially among members of the main opposition party. As the Ministry charged with the responsibility of providing oversight  on the activities of political parties in the country, we are calling on the leadership of the SLPP to ensure sanity prevails within its rank and file. 

We believe that the foundations of our democracy shall remain weak if the opposition fails to live up to its expectation of providing alternative development policies that will guide government on its mission to accomplish essential service delivery to the people of this country.

In view of this, we wish to make the following recommendations to the Sierra Leone People's Party.

1) That the national leadership of the  SLPP come out with a statement to unequivocally condemn the killing of an innocent supporter. 

2) That the party fully cooperate with the police and other law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to book. 

3) That the family of the deceased is duly compensated. 

4) That the SLPP leadership maps out effective strategies that will bring a stop to the spiraling violence among its supporters. 

Finally, we are calling on the Sierra Leone Police and the Judiciary to speedily investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of this unfortunate incident.

The Ministry, on behalf of government wishes to express sincere condolences to the family of the bereaved. 

Signed: 

Nanette Thomas

Hon Minister

9th Floor, Youyi Building

Freetown. 

Media Contact: + 232 -76 190-017

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IS MAADA BIO VICARIOUSLY RESPONSIBLY FOR THE VIOLENT ACT OF HIS BODY GUARD? Ministry of Intrenal Affairs says BIO must be arrested and questioned by the Police.

CLICK LINK BELOW:

https://www.facebook.com/SierraNetworkSalone/videos/1043680802375488/

CLICK LINK:

http://cocorioko.net/slpp-man-livid-with-anger-over-murder-of-party-fanatic-by-alleged-maada-bio-supporter/

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Senesie Jannie Tarawally: 

When selecting a candidate for the next election, SLPP members will have to take into account the circumstances on the ground. We cannot ignore the many obstacles in our path to victory. The backdrop to the next election, the elephant in the room is the formidable APC Political Machine. 

A ruthless political mafia runs our government. Creating ever increasing divisions (tribe, region) and lawlessness on a scale unimaginable only a few short years ago.

 

I must stress. We will be facing a ruthless well financed political machine that operates just like the worst mafia organisations around the world—they take no prisoners and are prepared to subvert the democratic rights of our citizens. 

We are unlikely to match the fundraising prowess of the APC Political machine. They treat our nation’s treasury as a personal “piggy bank” and have total control of all state apparatus. This is the kind of opposition we are facing. These are people who would do anything to stay in power. They are ruthless. 

They control the National Electoral Commission. They have gerrymandered our country to the point now that they say 60% of the population is in the north and ONLY 40% in SOUTH and EAST. This is what we are facing. We are the underdog. This is a huge challenge.

 

This gives them an unfair advantage; the playing field will not be level and we simply do not have the luxury of time and space. 

We have one candidate (only one candidate) who has the required EXPERIENCE of running a national campaign. 

We have one candidate who has EXPERIENCE of holding the highest office. 

He is the only candidate“tried and tested” at the highest level. There is no substitute for the experience gained at the highest levels.

 

My candidate is battle-hardened, been there, done that and lived to fight another day. 

Many of the world’s greatest leaders failed in their first attempt to gain the highest office. In 2000, Barack Obama lost an election when he ran for Congress. 

Why were these leaders able to succeed after such painful setbacks? They learned from their mistakes. They were uniquely placed to review and analyse what went wrong and to put it right the next time.

 

Julius Maada Bio is uniquely placed to bring his experience to the challenge of overcoming the formidable APC Political Machine. He has analysed and reviewed the mistakes of the past in a way only he could.

 

He is ready to hit the ground running on day one.

 

He will not require any “on-the-job-training”

 

He has a tried and tested campaign apparatus already in place.

 

It takes many years to forge the type of EXPERIENCE Julius Maada Bio possesses.

Can we really afford to dispense with such accumulated EXPERIENCE at such a critical time? 

I sincerely believe that many of the other candidates possess huge potential and offer our party much needed intellectual resources, but the stakes are too high. 

I could not choose potential over tried and tested experience when facing the most ruthless Political Machine in our country’s history. Could you? “AH BEG, DO YA. WUNA NOR DO DIS TO WE PEOPLE DEM.

 

I support Julius Maada Bio because I believe he is best placed to take advantage of the criteria needed for success. 

Blama's Finest,

The Man Who Conjures Something Out Of Nothing!!!

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CLICK LINK:

https://www.spreaker.com/user/8905561/social-sectarianism-in-the-slpp-the-kene?autoplay=true

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PRESS BRIEFING BY TEAM JOB COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE ON THE COLD-BLODED MURDER OF MOHAMED KARIM aka DADDY IN KENEMA ON MAY 27TH 2016.

{Courtsey: John Oponjo Benjamin Jr: in Promote Sierra Leone - Facebook Group}

On Wednesday May 25th 2016, a high powered delegation led by Chief Somano Kapen, Chairman and Leader of the Sierra Leone People’s Party and comprising of Mr. John Oponjo Benjamin, among other stakeholders, travelled to Kenema after several days of discussions at the PPRC. The mandate of the visiting delegation was to engage party stakeholders in both Kenema and Kono districts to resolve the issue of parallel executives that hitherto existed in the two districts in order to ensure peaceful coexistence prior to the imminent lower level elections slated for June 2016.

The team held successful discussions with all major stakeholders of the SLPP, including meetings with the Kenema City Mayor, Kenema District Council Chairman, Eight Members of Parliament, the previously elected Kenema District Executive, members of the parallel executive otherwise known as the Paopa group etc. etc. The various consultations were peacefully concluded by the evening of Friday May 27th 2016. The visiting team agreed to continue to Kono district on Saturday May 28th 2016.

As with the other members of the delegation, Mr John Oponjo Benjamin’s convoy left for his usual place of residence in Kenema along the Kenema-Bo Highway. The Team JOB convoy suddenly realized that they were been hotly pursued by a group of rowdy supporters of Maada Bio, headed by a security detail of Maada called Mohamed Fonnie. In a sudden twist of events and without any provocative act on the part of members of Team JOB, Mohamed Fonnie stabbed one of JOB’s supporters called Mohamed Karim aka Daddy, a citizen of Segbwema town and dedicated member of Team JOB, Njaluahun Chapter. The police hurriedly rushed Daddy to the Kenema Government Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Team JOB unequivocally condemns such barbaric act of violence in our noble party that has always been renowned for its commitment to the tenets of democracy and civilized politics. In our view, violence before or after flag bearer election should never be condoned in SLPP and all those connected with this needless killing of our party member should receive the maximum punishment as guaranteed in the National Constitution and the applicable laws of Sierra Leone.

Team JOB extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of our late colleague in Segbwema as well as to Mr John Oponjo Benjamin to whom Daddy provided dedicated and exclusive support for the flagbearership contest of the SLPP. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Since this murderous act was carried out, Mr. John Oponjo Benjamin has been incessantly receiving telephone calls expressing sympathy, shock and concern notably from His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma, Cabinet Ministers and several senior government functionaries with assurances that the incident will be speedily investigated and culprits made to face justice accordingly. Team JOB extends special thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the President and other government functionaries for the concern and, significantly, the assurance that the due process of law will be transparently followed. 

Team JOB is also  profusely thankful to the police under the leadership of AIG Karrow Kamara for the prompt and professional handling of the investigation into this reprehensible act perpetrated by criminals some of whom have already been apprehended. As a result of the prompt intervention of the Eastern Regional Police Command, the alleged assailant, Mohamed Fonnie who doubles as security for Maada Bio has been arrested together with other suspects and helping the police in the investigation.

While the investigation continues, Team JOB urges and appeals to party members, family members and the general public to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed to conclusion unhindered.

As police investigation proceeds, we urge the SLPP leadership that was present in Kenema at the material time to institute prompt internal investigation with the objective to identify any culprits for appropriate disciplinary action in line with the SLPP Constitution.

Team JOB will keep all informed about funeral arrangements and other developments in due course

Team JOB Communications Centre.

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MAADA BIO IS THE CANKERWORM

By Samuel Banya - 31 May 2016

While the Sierra Leone People's Party also known as the Grand Old Party (GOP) is famous for its many charms like the once peaceful party, democratic, intellectually endowed and so on, it is also notorious these days for violence, arrogance, conceit and deceit. As a coterie of aspirants gear up to contest for the party's presidential candidate for the 2018 elections, fear of violence from stabbing to cannibalism is seeing people in especially its south/eastern strongholds are becoming exasperated and anxious as to what might befall them when the titans Maada and KKY clash. 

A few days ago, a young SLPP member was stabbed in cold blood by a bodyguard of Julius Maada Bio. According to reports, the plan was to kill another contender, former chairman and leader, John Benjamin. JOB as he is fondly called, even claimed that he was the target of the assailant - Mohamed Fonnie aka Abacha. The suspect has already been arrested and now behind bars far away from JS Keifala and Fokai who normally serve as sureties for this alleged killer. 

Daddy George as the late youth who served JOB diligently was called, was murdered in a barbaric manner, an aged woman said in Kenema. But it was not strange because the SLPP, since Maada Bio appeared on the block, has become increasingly and unrepentantly violent and chaotic. But yet, Hon. Philip Tetema Tondoneh has accused JOB of "midwifing" violence when he was Chairman of the party. Maada Bio has merely build on his legacy. 

While the SLPP is perhaps known for its good "naturedness" and "civilised" political mingling, it is notorious for violence, intolerant of opposing views and perspectives. Cut throat fights are commonplace, and about 6 out of every 10 SLPP member in the West/North are leaving the GOP weekly because of fear of violence, intimidation and mammy cuss. Even the elders of the party are not speared. "The other day the mother of Kandeh Yumkella was spat on because she accompanied her son to the party HQ at Wallace Johnson Street," a supporter of KKY bemoaned. 

A recent analysis discovered that, of the 10 or more flag bearer aspirants of SLPP, Maada is the most dangerous because of the thugs he had deployed at the party HQ, effectively monopolising the office and shutting out the others. This, according to JOB is unacceptable and therefore called for a level playing field. 

"Things are getting uglier in this party every day. I advise those young people who are around them to find something productive to do instead of following politicians like JOB or Maada Bio. If they kill you for power, you will die in vain," said Pa Abdulai Komeh of Kenema District Council. 

SLPP is well known for the death of Harry Yansaneh (does the name Fatmata Hassan ring a bell?). Lansana Fadika was also stabbed and had it not been for God’s intervention and the police, he was already marked for death. Chief Sumano Kapen had been severally mobbed and molested by thugs of Maada Bio. What's the way forward for the GOP? The answer as JOB said on radio, is for the canker worm to be uprooted by all means necessary. 

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