Posted by Marda Mustapha on January 03, 2008 at 05:38:27:
In Reply to: Re: Happy New Year Questions:Will the real SLPP please stand up? posted by Thomas Georget on January 01, 2008 at 21:24:47:
Mr George,
I am appalled at what I am reading about New SLPPNA. From what I have read so far, you guys are creating a new party. It seems we did not learn from our mistakes. You do not solve problems by dividing the house. Most of us believe the present executive of SLPP NA should be fired but I will personally frown on anyone who tries to replay another version of the PMDC saga in NA. I am also disappointed with John Leigh who went on Cocorioko calling SLPPNA memmebrs tribalists etc. You guys are on the path of destroying the SLPP in NA. I suggest you stay within the established party structure and vote out the present executive who we all agree have outlived their usefulness. We need to move away from the breakaway syndrome. What you are doing in NA is no different from what Charles Margai did and you know where that got both PMDC and SLPP. Another suggestion I would make is that these disagreements should be discussed in an exclusive listserv for verified SLPP members only. My two cents and Happy New Year to you all.
Marda
: My Brother, C.H.
: S.L.P.P. is a decentralized Party.The North America section is just a Party Branch.Independent,with its own Constitution and by-laws.
: New S.L.P.P.is not "another" S.L.P.P. Party.It is the same party, with an evolving Reform wing.
: Thomas George is just a member of the working committees.
: The History of Political Parties teach us that most times, Reform and restructuring come from the oversea branches.From outside.Eventually, the old guard, get out-organized, or rolled over.
: Yes, the Party Secretariat in Freetown is informed about this development.And they accept it.
: After, our Constitution is ratified, we will call a convention, in which delegates from both the old and reform factions will meet to map the way forward.
: You have always said that you wanted to join S.L.P.P.Now, is the time.You have choices.
: Our break from "old S.L.P.P." is based, purely on principles.In time, we intend to expose those realities.
:
: : Keeping it short:
: : There is surely something known as PARTY DISCIPLINE and an SLPP CONSTITUTION?
: : The announcement of a NEW SLPP leaves me a little confused and embarrassed – it seems that it’s overseas - in the US, that some people have raised the horn of FITNA and given birth ( or rebirth?) to a Party that should be born in Sierra Leone.
: : One would have thought that the one and only SLPP could emerge/ re-emerge as a “New SLPP”
: : – but only by consensus of a legitimate decision-making body convened on a national scale, say a NATIONAL PARTY CONFERENCE.
: : – It’s not that there is an ideological divide as that between Stalin and Trotsky is there?
: : The SLPP’s home turf and grassroots is Sierra Leone. It’s in Sierra Leone that we have the centre of gravity of the SIERRA LEONE’S PEOPLES PARTY and the PALM TREE.
: : On which authority does a “New SLPP” emerge – in North America?
: : Does this weaken or strengthen the SLPP?
: : A sure way to weaken the SLPP is to cut it up into several pieces/ factions.
: : This seems to be the Thomas George Branch.
: : The Charles Margai branch eventually became the PMDC.
: : Any more NEW SLPPS to be announced shortly?
: : When is the next Convention at which a leader will be chosen?
: : Or will there be several SLPPs and leaders to contest the 2012 elections?
: : A UNITED SLPP stands a better chance than a fragmented SLPP still in disarray - still in a shambles after 2007.
: : The pruning and ” restructuring” and ”Reform” of the SLPP can only be done by the SLPP, not some semi-autonomous sub-branch , domiciled somewhere in the United States, far from the theatre of real action – isolated – perhaps distanced from the true SLPP roots which include the present legitimate SLPP and leaders.
: : Did the Thomas George faction, consult with SLPP headquarters in Sierra Leone, before making their breakaway baptismal announcement?
: : Should I want to join the SLPP, which SLPP should I join?
: : I know of only one SLPP, which has Sir Milton and Sir Albert as its venerable ancestors and Ahmad Tejan Kabbah and Mr. Berewa, as recent successors to that tradition which has the same foundation.
: : In my view the SLPP proper should take legal steps to prevent any disaffected members from misusing the good name of the SLPP, without even forming a quorum to hold such a meeting which is now announcing major innovations and even changing the name of the NATIONWIDE SLPP of SIERRA LEONE! But there should be no bitterness and rivalry and further divisions.
: : Was Hon. Momodou Koroma present at the meeting which took such unprecedented steps? I wonder.