The whole world is counting on the patriotism of Members of Parliament of the opposition All People’s Congress ( APC ) today to vote against Maada Bio’s constitutional amendments that will plunge Sierra Leone in further governance and democratic crises. If all the APC MPs vote ‘No’ , SLPP will not get the needed 2/3rd majority.
The future of our nation is in therefore in the hands of the APC today.
President Maada Bio told the nation during the State Opening of Parliament on Friday that : “A Constitution is not designed for one political party. It is not the property of one government, one institution, or one group. It must carry the aspirations, rights, hopes, and dreams of all citizens” . But the public has spoken eloquently through their comments in newspapers and social media, the religious bodies and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress : They are not in favor of the Proportional Representation ( PR ) system and many of the constitutional amendments being sought by the government ( See articles in the other columns ) .
The government wants to push the amendments down our throats because if passed, the measures will fasten their grips on power and make it impossible for any opposition party to ever win an election against them, but the onus is on the opposition APC to thwart the SLPP’s plans today by voting “No “.
President Bio made ironic statements in Parliament. This particular one should galvanize the opposition to do the right thing today: “This is the moment to rise above politics. This is the moment to honour the sacrifices of our people. This is the moment to complete a process that has continued across successive administrations and endured for more than two decades”. Bio might have thought he was tacitly talking to his constituencies but the irony is that what he is suggesting is what should guide the APC to vote right today and save our nation and the very APC from democratic collapse and eternal decay .
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