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Wow – they really panicked!

Author: Puawui - Dr. Sama Banya - Freetown

Boy! Did you read those pro APC reactions from their various supporters?Â I don’t normally boast of a vivid imagination of different description of events, but reading those reactions, one could almost see sweat runningÂ down the spines of many them from the shockwaves resulting as the positive and popular response of the public continues to sink in.. In their panic they’ve brought no logical arguments to counter the artist’s case except to attempt to bastardize him and call him names. My wonder is how by their outburst they’ve simply confirmed that they really lack the solid material which is essential to forming a government.

As many people have also pointed out, they have refused to take a leaf from the example of the very experienced and matured members of the erstwhile SLPP government in 2005/6 and 2007 when various artists, including Emmerson Bockarie came out with pro APC propaganda lyrics. I can say with every degree of confidence that if the APC were in power at that crucial period of the pre 2007 campaign, when Philip Neville came out with his inspired but totally false propaganda about rice and other gifts from Libya, the Standard Times newspaper would never have continued publication.

Look at what happened to the opposition Unity radio, the number of vicious attacks by APC thugs and vandals before a thoroughly cowered IMC banned it. From the experience of events in 1969 to the early 70s, either Neville or an innocent news vendor would have been resting with his Maker by now. And when Emmerson and his artist colleagues sang “bobor belleh” and other anti SLPP songs, rice was selling at no more than Le60,000 per bag.

Also, when Philip Neville fabricated his mischief, Libyan buses were plying the roads to Bo, Makeni, Kabala and Kono, not to mention the streets of greater Freetown. The refuse trucks and water bowsers were all in evidence.

The current APC Minister of Information and Communications who was then President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists SLAJ had led the press corps in a specially provided bus to Cockrill where officials from Libya were also present. He did not write a single sentence to contradict Neville other than to plead that the latter must not be charged to court.

The tragedy of the present APC reaction is that apart from the wild condemnation of Emmerson, all they are boasting of as I wrote on Friday is Bumbuna. Even the NPA boss Zubairu Kaloko has joined the fray to criticize Emmerson because, according to him, Bumbuna was on course. But did Emmerson say Bumbuna wasn’t? All the young man has done is to describe the situation at the time of his composition. Even as they all speak of clean electricity (I have yet to see a contaminated one) to Freetown, that it hadn’t happened.

As for the Cocorioko on-line, no one expected it to react otherwise. A seasoned columnist believes that the APC membership is not only overreacting but he has expressed appreciation at the gallantry of Emmerson in stating his views unequivocally and that is as it should be. The more over-enthusiastic members of the ruling party should stop their ineffective counter propaganda against Emmerson, neither must they attempt to employ other artists to counter his very popular song, because it will only be an exercise in futility. The demand for the song has continued to increase practically by the hour and no amount of funny propaganda is going to line peoples pockets with money let alone fill their empty stomachs or give the youth employment, or fulfill all the wild promises to the youth of Kono in particular, and the Kono people generally, about the potential treasure that lies buried in the No.11 san san pile which had been promised to them but for which they now have to pay through their noses. But nar so APC tan. Both JB Roy and my very thick skinned brother-in-law Alieu Kamara of “Territorial Integrity” and now “Attitudinal Change,” have been effectively dealt with.

The SLPP executive council meeting will start in a few hours time; it has not been called under any threat or duress. The matters on the Agenda are of concern to members and where better to discuss them than at an executive council meeting. Contrary to wild rumours and speculation, there will be no fireworks nor any make or break alternatives. More on that tomorrow.Â Â Â Â

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