A RUNNING MATE DECISION SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE FLAG BEARER, LET US RESPECT IT

Author: Morie Saffa aka Tologondoe Sagbah

It is quite tempting and a matter of pride and influence for anyone to involve in the decision by the Flag Bearer in choosing a Running Mate or Vice President. However, the adage that says “too many cooks will spoil the soup,” can be a testimony to the probability that varying interests can be challenging to satisfy.

If we take everyone’s demands and preferences into consideration, it is unlikely that we will achieve the best decision because there will be too many recommendations and needs to consider. That is the more reason why we should leave the running mate decision to one person – the Flag Bearer.

In most constitutional democracies, the option for the selection of a Running Mate or Vice President is a private decision based on four (4) reasons…two that are necessary for the FB, one that is necessary for the party, and one that is paramount to the state.

The two main reasons necessary for the FB are:

 First, the need for the Flag Bearer to chose a person with whom he feels comfortable working.

Second, a running mate that the Flag Bearer can TRUST in his face, his back or in his absence.

The third reason is one that is necessary for the Political Party. And that is, that the RM must bring something to the table including, name recognition, popularity, money and material resources that can help the party get votes especially in competitive regions.

The fourth and significant reason is to have a qualified person that the country can DEPEND ON to carry out the duties of the presidency in the absence of the President.

In the last 20 years, each of the two terms of both the APC and SLPP governments has experienced the turn-over of their Vice Presidents, which almost led to political instability in the case of the APC VP turn-over.

The SLPP President,  Tejan Kabba, unseated VP Demby in the second term, replacing him with Solomon Berewa. APC President Ernest Koroma deposed VP Sam Sumana replacing him with Victor Foh.

These events do not have to happen since there can be unpredictable circumstances with the possibility for a constitutional crisis that can lead to legal, civil and even political instability that can cost the country good governance.

In 2007, a lot was in the air about the Running Mate for the SLPP FB, Solomon Berewa. The Word was that Berewa wanted Kanja Sessay for his Running Mate, but Tejan Kabba forced him to take Momodu. Party stakeholders did not see the two as a perfect duo who were politically in sync with each other in that election, and that was considered to be one of the reasons SLPP and Berewa lost.

Since the election of the SLPP FB, there have been lots of musings in the air about the Running Mate for the SLPP Flag Bearer, Maada Bio. My suggestion to all and sundry is that we all sit back in rational thought and leave that responsibility to Maada Bio and let him ask for help, tips and recommendations, rather than be dictated or forced upon him.

We the Party members should not make our decision to support the Flag Bearer based on him selecting our preferred Running Mate. Let us have an open mind and help his choice primarily because of our party and the desire for the Party to win in 2018.

REMEMBER THAT; FOR ANY SLPP MEMBER AND SUPPORTER, ANY SLPP “GOVERNMENT” IS BETTER THAN ANY APC GOVERNMENT. YOU ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO BE WELCOME AT THE SLPP STATE HOUSE THAN YOU WOULD UNDER AN APC GOVERNMENT…LET US SUPPORT OUR LEADER’S DECISION.

Morie  Saffa  aka Tologondoe Sagbah