Veteran Journalist and Publisher of the Global Times Newspaper, Sorie Fofana, who doubles as Chairman, Board of Directors, National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has stated that the Sierra Leone People’s Party’s (SLPP) succession debate is a distraction.
He said just eight months into President Julius Maada Bio’s second and final term, some people in the SLPP have started discussions bordering on leadership secession.
Sorie said the President has spelt out his agenda for the development of the country under the Big 5 game changer. Those who love the party should support the President and the government to succeed in the implementation of the Big 5 Agenda especially the agenda to “Feed Salone”.
Sorie Fofana said: “Printing posters and banners, holding secret meetings across the country and splashing money in support of any potential flag bearer aspirant is not in the best interests of the party. Let us support the President to succeed in the implementation of the Big 5 Agenda for the development of Sierra Leone.
“Provoking public discussions around leadership succession in the SLPP is not helpful at the moment. The way to go is to support the government in the successful implementation of the Big 5 Agenda.
There is a feeling of sulking discontent within the party. But let us unite to defend our comon interests. All that glitters is not gold.
“Some of us have strong reservations about certain decisions that are being taken at some higher quarters. But we have to ensure that, in 2028, the SLPP succeeds itself in office. This is not the time for a succession discussion. This is the time to support the government in the successful implementation of the Big 5 Agenda for development”.
He cited that in May 2002, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah of the SLPP was re-elected President for another five-year term, after defeating the APC Presidential candidate Ernest Bai Koroma in a first ballot. Kabbah received 70% of the valid votes cast. His party won 83 seats in Parliament out of the 112 seats contested for in the Parliamentary election.
During his swearing-in speech, Sorie went on to explain, Kabbah thanked the people of Sierra Leone for reposing confidence in him to govern the country for five more years adding that he however made it very clear that, he would not be running for public office again in his life time at the end of his second and final term in 2007. He kept to that promise.
He said during his second and final term as President, Kabbah was eager on who succeeds him as leader and flag bearer of the SLPP and that Kabbah had a soft spot in his heart for his Vice President, Solomon Berewa. He had a great deal of affection for Berewa.
Sorie concluded that even though he did not stop any one in the party from expressing their interests in the leadership of the party, his support for Solomon Berewa was implicit. He helped raised funds for Solomon Berewa’s campaign and he introduced him to important world leaders and helped open doors for him.
