By Nightwatch news analyst
Dr. Prince Harding, Leader and Chairman of the SLPP, had been a Cabinet Minister and Secretary General of the SLPP. During his Secretaryship the party won General Elections twice and those victories redound to his credit. After the party’s wilderness experience he has come into the national spotlight once more.
Since the party’s restructuring, after their return to their secretariat from the civil war, he had not featured prominently. After a stint as Deputy Leader he subsequently became party leader shortly before the recent General Elections.
While he was Deputy Leader many acts of violence at the party’s headquarters were attributed to his incitement. These allegations were buttressed by the outgoing leader, Chief Somano Kapen.
Fast forward, he was re-elected Leader and Chairman after the exit of Chief Kapen. One of his immediate achievements was the dismissal of about seven staff members at the SLPP headquarters because they did not support his bid for that position. He is alleged to have sidelined and made life uncomfortable for several national officers of the party for the same reason.
As if that was not enough he had a bashing from none other than Abu Bakarr Joe Sesay, the Editor of Unity Newspaper and also spokesman of the party all through the election period.
In a commentary in the Global Times of December 13, 2017 he wrote, among other things, “We had no intention of picking up a fight with the National Chairman and Leader of the SLPP, Dr. Prince Harding, until his lackeys branded our editor, Sheikh M. Bawoh ‘a brown envelope journalist’ in an unsigned press release issued last week.
“As it is the SLPP is in an unfortunate situation. They have a Chairman who is not only mentally handicapped but who is also dangerously undermining the chances of the party by his very poor and insincere administrative and leadership style”.
One would wonder whether it is the same Dr. Prince Harding, who is described as mentally handicapped, that is about to deliver victory for the SLPP. It would appear that the party’s spokesman and Chairman are at odds and that situation may affect the results of the run-off.
Aside from the differences between the Leader, Spokesman and Editor, the party was virtually splintered a couple of months ago and few would have imagined their present performance.
In his latest interview, Dr. Prince Harding said the success of the SLPP is due to divine intervention. He is said to be vindictive and it is not easy to figure out how he will continue to lead a united party.
Fortuitous circumstances seem to have added value to the party’s success so far. Credit should be given to the Campaign Manager, Dr. Alie Kabba, for this adroitness.