However, I will say without no iota of doubt that the SLPP is still not serious enough to take over the next government. The recent fight between the opposing factions (Paopao and Huen huen) in the party at Tongo Fields is a clear indication that the SLPP is not a serious party and therefore can’t take over governance in 2018.
The lower level election in Bonya section, Lower Bambara Chiefdom was announced cancelled by the Local Unit Commander of Tongo Fields; Francis Bainya. The LUC wasted no time in saying that the cancellation was in the interest of the SLPP and the Tongo community as a whole.
AYV’s reporter on the ground told this medium that a group of youths that identified themselves as supporters of Honorable Francis Konuwa were chanting in Mende “ebema”, “ebema” meaning it will not happen, it will not happen. This group prevented the PPRC from conducting the lower level elections in the Lower Bambara Chiefdom by posing threats on them. They said the PPRC has no mandate to conduct the elections but rather to oversee the entire process. Lusain Momoh, the PPRC’s spokesperson tried to explained the roles of the PPRC in the lower level elections but he was not given attention as the ‘huen huen’ youths were very much desperate to see that the elections din’t take place. “we are ready to die for Honorable Francis Konuwa” they chanted.
On the other hand, the ‘Paopa’ group was very much peaceful, quiet and calm. Whien asked why the were not responding to the songs sang by the ‘Huen, huen’ youths, one of their leaders who identified himself as Edwin Amadu told AYV that are ready for the elections and are very much sure of victory so they see no need why they should create problems.
As the situation became more tensed, the PPRC team immediately left the scene as they were a target for the ‘Huen, huen’ youths. Shortly after a group of police left to escort the PPRC team, fighting erupted between the ‘Huen huen’ and the ‘Paopo’ youths. The police were able to make few arrests and investigation is currently going on.
If the Sierra Leone People’s Party cannot conduct themselves in a simple lower level election, what do we expect of them in the 2018 general elections? “Is the SLPP a serious political party”?
