With Ralph Simeon Sesay
Many Sierra Leoneans, both in and outside the APC, including members of the NRM, were taken aback by the decision last weekend by former President Ernest Koroma to return to active politics from retirement in Makeni.
Ernest Koroma had addressed a jam packed crowd that came out to welcome him some few months ago at the traditional APC stronghold of Makeni.He had told party supporters that he was finally returning home to rest amidst all the busy schedules that had accompanied the position of President for the last ten years.
Some critical members and supporters of the party and even members of the ruling SLPP have continued to view the former President’s return to active politics as uncalled for, especially so when the new government is still trying to come to terms with the critical issues surrounding the transition.
This is further exacerbated by the fact that, the Bio government is robustly fighting an anti corruption crusade in which hundreds of APC officials of the former government are being investigated for various alleged corruption charges.
APC officials have resisted attempts to bring them to book and this has created animosity in Freetown, which arguably remains the stronghold of the APC.
Large crowds had gathered outside the Criminal Investigations Department and the ACC headquarters in Freetown when former Deputy Defence Minister, Palo Conteh, was invited and detained by the ACC for alleged corruption charges.
Makeni was also on standstill when a team of CID officers, headed by AIG Brima Jah, visited Makeni to interview the former head of state on allegations of sedition and other related offences against the leadership of the APC.
The return of Ernest to active politics is expected to raise more tensions in Freetown and the ruling government will have no option but to retaliate in the African way by depriving Ernest of the privileges and immunities normally accorded to former heads of state.
Already the APC’s highest decision making body, NAC, has complained that the former head of state, his wife and a couple of former ambassadors and ministers are still to have their benefits and other emoluments honored by the present government. Has this necessitated his coming back to active politics?
A statement from the party stated that the former President as chairman and leader has vowed to be making the party’s position very clear.Thus from henceforth, the party’s Chairman and Leader will be making the party’s position on such matters such as the economic status of the country and other related matters.Mind you, the APC party has the majority in Parliament and ten (10) out of the nineteen (19) local councils across the country. His popularity is undoubtedly very high in Freetown and his appearance in public places would have an effect on traffic and the free movement of people.
With the prevailing economic situation in the country one would expect that there are indeed trying times ahead for peace and tranquility in the country.
But why has the former President decided to retreat from retirement at his sophisticated Makeni palace to the highly tensed party office in Freetown remains a million dollar question.This, for many SLPP supporters,is a calculated attempt to undermine their government.
Did the former President seek the advice of his fellow Heads of State on this crucial decision, including the likes of General Obasanjo,Goodluck Jonathan and others?
How will his assurances of returning the party to power in 2023 elections resonate with the youthful population of the party and the plethora of candidates that want to lead the party, especially so when he has few months ago accepted responsibility for the loss of the party at the March, 2018 polls?
There are very interesting times, indeed, ahead. Yah Go do…?