𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐬 𝐊𝐊𝐘 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨 𝐒𝐋𝐏𝐏?

𝐁𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐚.

Rumour has it that, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella (KKY) is set to return to his family party (the SLPP) very soon. The question is being asked: How soon is soon? Dr. Kandeh Yumkella has an impressive pedigree in the SLPP. His father was one of the founding members of the party.
When Dr. Kandeh Yumkella failed to contest as a flag bearer aspirant in the SLPP in 2018, he left the party to form a movement which later transformed into a registered political party. In 2018, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella contested as a Presidential candidate under the banner of NGC (National Grand Coalition) Party. He came third in the Presidential elections of 2018 after polling 174,014 votes scoring 6.86% of the total nation-wide votes counted. His party won four Parliamentary seats. He is currently the Parliamentary Leader of the NGC Party.
In February this year, President Brig. (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio travelled to KKY’s home town of Kychum in the Samu Chiefdom, Kambia district and asked him to return to his family party. In a social media post, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella wrote, “Concerning his (President Bio’s) specific request and Bora, I thanked him for the gesture and respect and “AHH HOLE WORD”. KKY knows in his heart of hearts that, he can only become President if he gets the backing of the SLPP. If his life-long ambition is to become President of Sierra Leone, he must immediately accept the offer of returning to the party before the 2023 elections are held. If he fails to return to the SLPP before the 2023 elections are held, his chances of ever leading the party are as good as dead.
What happens if KKY decides to return to the SLPP? In what capacity is he coming back? Even though President Bio has still not named his returning mate for the 2023 elections, it is obvious that, he might decide to run with Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh. Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh is already an integral part of the strategic planning for President Bio’s 2023 re-election.
There is no immediate sign that President Bio intends to drop Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh from the 2023 winning ticket. Their body language at public gatherings shows that, they are working together. And Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh remains loyal to his boss. But seven months is a long time in politics!
The fact of the matter is that, KKY will not return to the SLPP if he does not get a cast-iron assurance from the President that he might be given a major role to play in a post 2023 election Cabinet to be formed by President Dr Julius Maada Bio.
It is rumoured that Ing. Andrew Keili (Ponder My Thoughts) has had to delay his return to the SLPP to make way for KKY to return in grand style. Is KKY coming alone? He might bring with him to the SLPP the radical wing of the party headed Dr. Dennis Bright. That will mean the end of the NGC Party. The question is still being asked: When is KKY returning to the SLPP (his family party)?
President Dr Julius Maada Bio has promised to leave behind a stable SLPP when he retires as President in 2028. He would do everything possible to ensure that whoever emerges as flag bearer of the SLPP in 2028 is the party’s clearest choice.
May common sense prevail!