By Dr. Ibrahim Dumbuya
It is no secret that Sierra Leone’s political landscape has been plagued by numerous challenges. One of the most significant obstacles to progress is the culture of blind party loyalty that seems to have taken root among many Sierra Leoneans. This culture has created an environment in which politicians are allowed to get away with all manner of misdeeds, simply because they belong to a particular party.
One of the most significant drawbacks of this blind loyalty is the tendency to deflect blame. Supporters of the ruling party are often quick to point fingers at past regimes, rather than holding their current leaders accountable. This approach creates a dangerous precedent, where our leaders are free to behave in any manner they choose, knowing that their supporters will always defend them.
This culture of blind loyalty also creates an environment where politicians are free to switch parties at will. This practice is detrimental to our nation because it demonstrates that politicians are more concerned with their personal gain than the welfare of the people they were elected to serve. It is essential to understand that party loyalty should not come at the expense of accountability and transparency. We must demand that our leaders do the right thing, regardless of which party they belong to.
It is important to note that blindly supporting politicians has many negative consequences. For instance, it allows corrupt politicians to continue looting the national coffers, while the citizens of Sierra Leone suffer in poverty. It also leads to the erosion of our democracy, as political parties become more concerned with maintaining power than serving the people.
In conclusion, we must learn to hold our leaders accountable, regardless of their party affiliation. Blind loyalty only serves to hinder progress and allows politicians to get away with all manner of misdeeds. Let us focus on the welfare of our nation and demand that our leaders do the same. Only then can we hope to build a Sierra Leone that is truly great.
