OPINION: POSTED ELSEWHERE IN 2013

On 20 Dec 2013, at 22:24, Mohamed Yongawo <yongawomohamed@hotmail.com> wrote:

Sisters and brothers, permit me to wade into this interesting debate.

I am sorry to suggest that in my mind this poll is skewed, flawed, misplaced, ill-defined you name it. Yes, some kind of introspection into our difficulties is warranted. But do we conduct a poll to determine an outcome of an environment we have little knowledge about and influence over? The answer undoubtedly, is a big no. 

In the past I have suggested or can I say queried whether anyone of us here has spared time to have audience with our parliamentarians. Still waiting for valid responses; I have not had the opportunity to do so myself.
Significantly, few weeks gone, majority of us here seem to have resolved our parliamentarians were not delivering and some of us even suggested ways our parliamentarian could better their presence in the well of parliament. Some including my self-advised our brothers and sisters in parliament could engage themselves in monitoring government ministries and developing counter policies as an effective means of opposition. Others suggested our parliamentarians could do themselves good if they spent more time in their constituencies with their constituents facilitating grassroots involvement in party business. Many others even went further describing our parliamentarians as hopeless. 

All of a sudden some kind of selective amnesia has set in motion. Like someone suggested here recently, if it is evident that our opposition in parliament is weak, something have got to be done about it. Obviously, it will be an expensive undertaking to recall every Member of Parliament for what many would describe as ineptitude; the state cannot afford it. So, do we agree that some form of restructuring is required? Unanimously, yes. Are we then disagreeing on the method it is been carried out - probably yes. If the latter is our difficulty not the former, then let's cool heads prevail. Let's appeal to SLPP NEC to intervene by admonishing our parliamentarians to follow due process - that is if some of us think they are not already doing this. Like many here, I am not cognisant of the rules therein, so it will be foolish to pretend otherwise. 
Again, in my mind, pre event polls are conducted to have some kind of desired effect - to influence minds and procedures. It goes without saying that this poll initiated by my big brother Kenei Gbonda Sei is aimless or can say directionless. It will only deepen the divide in what many would agree is fractured party.
The way forward as I see it is multi directional but to resolve it we have to be realistic and respectful of each other’s views. 
Firstly, those who supported the respectable Ali Bangura should impress on him to acknowledged Chief Kapen as the elected leader of our party and withdraw his judicial treat hanging over the party.  
Secondly, Chief Kapen and his executive should welcome Mr Bangura with red Capet and give an undertaken to institute an independent body to investigate the happenings at the Bo Convention. Outcome of such process should serve as lesson for future conventions and party elections. 
Thirdly, the minority leader should be impressed on to withdraw her legal undertakings against her colleagues. 
Fourthly, our parliamentarians and SLPP NEC should immediately review the decision by the parliamentarians, ensuring that parliamentary procedures were strictly adhered to without fear or favour.
And finally I would like to join others in calling for a reconciliatory retreat of all ELECTED NEC; SLPP ELDERS COUNCIL IN SIERRA LEONE, ALL PARLIAMENTARIANS; CONTESTING CANDIDATES IN THE LAST BO CONVENTION; ALL CONTESTANTS IN THE LAST FLAG BEARER RACE (those who are still members of the SLPP); MEMBERS OF THE OUTGONE NEC; ALL PROVINCIAL, DISTRICT, and CHIEFDOM EXECUTIVES, SLPP DIASPORA CHAIRMEN AND SECRETARY GENERALS. The list is none exhaustive but we cannot have everyone there otherwise it becomes a hapless market. The said should be facilitated by SLPP NEC and its Agenda should be proposed by them but agreed by the attendees.
That gathering should be strictly for the invitees for maximum effect – input and output. The gathering should not be about conducting a new NEC election but a communique should be agreed and that should serve as a road map, which will direct how the party conducts her business henceforth. 
Now let me make public what I have advised several party bosses - past and present behind close doors; which is, irrespective of whom we elect our future flag bearer we will find it difficult to win presidential elections if we are not united as a party; even if that individual is Angel Gabriel (Allah forgive me). I’m not been alarmist, this is the fact – one does not have to be a rocket scientist to understand this. 
As important as it may be, let's for now put aside the numbers not adding up from EAST, WEST, NORTH AND SOUTH Sierra Leone, the electorates will not be trusting power in the hands of a divided bunch, such as our party is looking today. 
One thing we also need to plant in our brain cells, APC will always support and stand by their own irrespective of what they may have done or not done - Omrie Golley is a classic case in point; Kemoh Sesay of the Cocaine fame is another and of course, VP Timbergate, to name but few. 
Let's be strategic and stop this unnecessary finger pointing and what one may describe as psychotic conditioning. We better get our mental faculties back together, otherwise we will be doomed. Compromises across the board should be our epitome. An opposition that fails to win elections should fold up and go home. 
Have a pleasant weekend my sisters and brothers.
Merry Christmas Prosperous 2014 and beyond; to you, to me, our families, Sierra Leone and of course sanity in SLPP. 

I love all of you. We should always strive to share love not hate.

Yongawo