It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be a Herculean task with all the political chicanery that aspirants can muster. It will be recalled that there were 28 aspirants during the out-gone elections. We are not likely to see the same number of aspirants owing to drop outs and upcoming candidates.
Much is going to depend on the modus operandi of the exercise based on their party constitution which may be in need of amendment. In the past it had been characterized by Communist tendencies, but there is no knowing whether the new electors are set for innovations. There may yet be some western democratic infiltrations in this new age. The fact is that the party has been ruling without any clear governing philosophy.
It is selection rather than elections that has proved to be the bane in the leadership bid of the party. Their constitution states that choice is either by selection or elections, a factor that contributed to their loss of the presidency. This time round they may opt for a candidate on gender basis or on basis of experience or youth. On the basis of youth they may think of our own Julius Maada Bio as an example when he led this country in his thirties. For gender, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and oddly for experience the recently elected Malaysian leader at 92. But all these considerations pale beside the all powerful influence of bribery that produces the wrong candidate.
It is rather ironic that the major tribes have not been able to produce purely Mende or Temne leaders to rule this country. It is a truism that the tribal card flaunted shamelessly by erstwhile respectable citizens like Paolo Conteh vaunting his Limbaness did not achieve its desired results. That was the last ditch stand of a sinking leadership.
The last elections proved that the grassroots of the party were averse to the guile of their leaders, which is why many inroads were made in the so-called strongholds of the tribalists. They opened up unlike the impregnable stance of the mainly Mende-south who, like the Konos, are more tribalistic.
It will be noted that two former Presidents of Sierra Leone have led this country out of their original regions. Dr Siaka Stevens from Moyamba and Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah from Kambia in the north led the country from opposite regions of birth. In order to avert an impending imbroglio the rank and file of the APC should think seriously of electing a candidate of the Mende, Sherbro or Fullah or ubiquitous Limba tribe. This does not mean that the frontrunners of the ill-fated 28 should abandon their ambitions. It’s only a deliberation.
Ernest Koroma’s rule was characterized by doctrinaire thinking. He had no clear governing philosophy save to entrench tribalism and regionalism. He slowed down our march to the New Jerusalem. He has left the citizenry with mass misery. Chances are that he may not retire with dignity. The APC should ponder well the tips for enduring leadership above. And then they will be home and dry. Ok?
Watch out for assessment of potential leaders.