The engine that lubricates or the oxygen that keeps any political party alive is when it demonstrates that “there is reward for loyalty and the risk that political activism carries.” There has to be a defensive system that protects the veterans of the party. Seniority in a political party is not merely about age,but the length of service, commitment, personal sacrifices, and the dangers people meet on their way to keep a political party and its philosophy alive.
The ANC has maintained political power since 1994, and every succession has been peacefully managed because there is a clear system that is not repugnant to common sense called “through the eye of a niddle.”
Chester Barnard defines organisations as cooperative systems requiring a balance between individual motives and organisational goals. He emphasised the importance of systems and structures as pillars that keep every organisation.
In the case of ANC, Nelson Mandela became President on the 10th May, 1994, following the first democratic election in South Africa. From 1994 Nelson Mandela to Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe to date, one can easily and plausibly predict the successors in a row.
At least over 15 years ago, I knew that Cyril Ramaphosa would become President of South Africa one day after Jacob Zuma, albeit in an organised and structured manner.
That structure is what the SLPP has not spent time to establish, even after many failings at selecting flagbearers and the political disasters that have followed since 1967 to date.
Let us pause for a moment to ask: Is it a structured system where, without serving at constituency or district level, a person can contest for a regional or national executive position as a first timer in politics? I personally believe that there has to be a plausible system that allows for progression and coaching/grooming of leaders.
The fight and conflict at lower level elections will not end until there is a clear system where seniority and service are respected, and the eligibility criteria for election into positions at various levels are outlined.
Hypothetically, if we say to be elected into the district executive one must have served as zonal or chiefdom or constituency executive for at least two terms or been a registered and constantly paid up member for at least a period of 10 years, or served as an elected councilor or MP in the district; then there is a procedure.
Again, if we say to be elected into the regional executive, a person must have served as constituency or district executive for two terms or as MP or chairman of a council in the region or a registered and consistently paidup member for a period of 15 years; then there is a procedure that limits people, reduces conflict, reinforces respect and discipline and also encourages members to pay their subscriptions.
Progressively, at the national level, there should be a procedure that says a person must have served in the district or regional executive or in leadership position in Parliament or chairman of Council or at least 20 years as a member of the party, consistently paying his or her membership subscription.
My revered brothers and sisters of this great party that is the pillar of democracy in Sierra Leone, let us open our hearts to embrace the changes that will strengthen the party at all levels beyond our personal aspirations and personal gains.
Furthermore, permit me to share my views on the issue of distinguished grand chief patron as criteria for electing a flagbearer. It is my considered opinion based on 30 years of membership since 1995 to date, that it is not a sufficient condition.
Please note that I am aware that based on established convention and the constitution, the National Executive will develop “Rules and Regulations” that will eventually set the criteria that will guide the party into electing a flagbearer.
But for the sake of argument, as it is now, without prejudice and established procedure as to who attain what, meaning “double promotion politicians” who did not go through the struggles and do not understand the party or worst, most of them do not even respect veterans, can shoot up any day for leadership in the party. This pattern is bound to discourage loyal members, because, once it is consistently established that loyalty or seniority does not matter, then those who will sell their houses and make huge sacrifice will evaporate from the equation. The rest could be predicted deductively.
I believe that now is the time to correct this obvious omission of the past. We need to plausibly answer the question:
How does the SLPP groom people into leadership?
For argument sake, say you must have served at least as a two terms Parliamentarian or two terms chairman of a local council or two terms in the national executive or 30 years as a registered member with exposure to governance, or as a minister for at least 5 years, who has been a member of the party prior to his/her appointment for at least a period of 10 years with subscriptions paidup.
Let me end this piece by encouraging the leadership and general membership of the party to look beyond our personal ambitions and connections and to some extent the gifts we have or are enjoying now, to situate the party on a sustainable path to consolidating power in 2028 and beyond.
Let me use this opportunity to congratulate His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, the National Leader, Hon Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Deputy National Leader, Mr. Jimmy Batilo Songa, the National Chairman, Mr Robert Kondema Kargbo, Deputy National Chairman, Hon Paran Tarawalie, the National Secretary General, the other National Officers and the entire membership of the party on this historic celebration of the 75 anniversary of the Sierra Leone People’s Party.
May the good Lord continue to bless us all.
Authored by the SLPP District Chairman, Tonkolili District.