News Story

FREETOWN: PRINCE MANAH LUSENI: The widely held belief that Ernest Bai Koroma is a weak leader came to prominence again today when Presidential Affairs Minister Alpha Kanu confronted him on his Independence Day speech in which President Ernest Koroma accepted that the foundation for the achievement of their objectives had been laid and that they will not have to start from scratch.

Our impeccable State House sources say that when Alpha Kanu came to the office this morning, he went through the newspapers and realized that some newspapers had spun the president’s speech and given it an unintended tilt in favour of the former ruling party. The Presidential Press Officer Sheka Tarawalie (Shekito) was immediately called by Alpha Kanu to enquire if he knew the people who wrote the speech for the President. Shekito and Kanu have been strange bedfellows of late and Sheka Tarawallie said he wasn’t aware of the speech writers.

Our State House sources say, normally I.B. Kargbo, Sampha Koroma and Sheka Tarawalie are the usual speech writers, but Ernest chose to consult his journalist friends to write the Independence Day speech for him apparently because they know what the people want to hear. After Kanu’s search failed to yield dividends, he decided to wait until after cabinet to take on his boss for the speech in which President Koroma waxes on in in praise of ex-President Kabbah and the SLPP.

Immediately after cabinet, Alpha Kanu was said to have stormed into the president’s office taking him to task for the speech and arming the opposition (SLPP) with Local Council elections lurking in the corners. Our State House sources say, he told Ernest in harsh terms not to spoil their victory. The lame duck president was said to be mute and only told Alpha Kanu to relax and that they will discuss the matter later.

Alpha Kanu was also later spotted in deep conversation with Information and Communications Minister I.B. Kargbo who has not been friendly with him since the fracas over who is the presidential spokesman. I.B. Kargbo has also not been comfortable with the President’s accession to good wok by the SLPP. Two weeks back he told a group of SLBS workers that their government inherited nothing, and will definitely feel embarrassed by his boss’ u-turn.

This is not the first time Alpha Kanu is lambasting his boss over the latter’s actions. On Monday March 10th this year, Alpha Kanu overturned a decision to increase the pump price of fuel from Le 14,500 to Le 16, 500, after the President, Trade Minister Alimamy Koroma and oil importers had agreed on Saturday March 8th to effect the price increase. He blasted Ernest and told him the government can use the strategic stock which the SLPP set up to subsidise the importers and cushion the effect of the price increase. A scared President Koroma backed off and allowed Alpha Kanu the schemer to have his way.

This latest act of insubordination leaves people wondering if Ernest is in control of his cohorts and strong party members. It further shows he is a lame duck president remote controlled by his subordinates.