By Ragan M Conteh

Many Sierra Leoneans remain perplexed by the actions of the ruling SLPP government, particularly regarding its recent and much-discussed call for power-sharing. A significant portion of the public questioned why after nearly a decade in power, the SLPP is now proposing such an arrangement.

Some political observers believe this sudden shift signals that the SLPP has sensed an impending loss of power. According to these critics, the party is advocating for unrealistic power-sharing simply to avoid becoming the opposition and facing accountability for its stewardship.

Speaking on AYV Television, the opposition Chief Whip Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara strongly condemned the proposal. He stated that there has been no clear communication from the President, his spokesperson, or any of his close allies on the matter suggesting that the APC will not entertain such a vague and poorly conceived idea.

The Whip dismissed the ongoing narrative of an inclusive government arguing that the national constitution does not restrict presidential appointments to members of the ruling party. He emphasized that being affiliated with a political party does not disqualify any citizen from serving in public institutions such as the Labour Congress, the Youth Commission, or other national bodies.

He made reference to the case of Dr. Alpha Khan, stating that his appointment as presidential spokesperson came only after he had resigned from the APC. Therefore, he argued, Alpha Khan does not represent the APC in any capacity, accusing the government of using him to mislead the public about the supposed power-sharing arrangement.

Hon. Koroma acknowledged that political tensions typically rise around election periods. However, he criticized the current government for failing to address these tensions over the past seven years, allowing perpetrators to go unpunished. He argued that the root cause of the political unrest lies not in the electoral system be it First-Past-the-Post or Proportional Representation but in the conduct of certain political leaders.

Addressing the issue of the winner-takes-all system, the Whip insisted that what is currently unfolding under the SLPP has no precedent under the former APC-led government. He accused the SLPP of removing competent civil servants from their posts before the end of their tenure, a move he described as politically motivated.

In conclusion, the opposition lawmaker asserted that the executive powers vested in the president remain intact and there is therefore no justification for power-sharing. He warned that such proposals have the potential to undermine democracy.

He reaffirmed the APC’s stance, declaring that the party will continue to use all lawful means to oppose both power-sharing and the Proportional Representation system. According to him, First-Past-the-Post is not the root cause of Sierra Leone’s political challenges; rather, the problem lies with the president himself, who, he said, has become overly absorbed in his authority.