Moses Mambu, National Public Relations Officer of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), is increasingly attracting attention over what critics may regard as an overzealous and unnecessarily combative approach to political communication across social media and traditional media platforms. At times, his rhetoric creates an impression of political triumphalism that could be interpreted as being power-drunk, particularly when pronouncements from such a senior party official touch sensitive questions of elections, party membership and internal political competition. Besides he is taking the SLPP as his personal property rather than a political party making utterances that have the propensity of bringing divisions within the party.

A National Public Relations Officer should ordinarily serve as a bridge connecting the leadership, stakeholders, grassroots supporters and wider public. The position demands clarity, discipline, political maturity and an ability to manage disagreements without unnecessarily escalating them. Yet some of Moses Mambu’s interventions have instead generated controversy and raised questions about whether his communication style is consolidating the SLPP or potentially widening disagreements within its ranks.

Nothing demonstrated the danger of loose political rhetoric more clearly than his controversial reference to “2030” while discussing the next presidential election. Moses Mambu subsequently explained that the reference was made “out of fun” and as a political “jab.” That explanation, however, does not completely erase the legitimate questions generated by the original statement.

Election dates and presidential tenure are serious constitutional matters. When the National Public Relations Officer of the governing party introduces 2030 into a conversation about an election expected in 2028, Sierra Leoneans will naturally scrutinize his words and question the political message being conveyed.

Equally concerning is the potential effect of combative public pronouncements on internal party cohesion. Founded in 1951, the SLPP is one of Sierra Leone’s oldest political parties and has played a central role in the country’s political history, including the journey to Independence. Having survived different political eras, periods in opposition and returns to Government, the party prides itself on its democratic traditions and substantial nationwide support.

Against that background, it is unfortunate when its National Public Relations Officer becomes publicly confrontational towards major stakeholders who may command considerable influence and support within the party. Whatever disagreements exist, publicly disparaging influential stakeholders can potentially alienate their supporters, deepen factional differences and undermine the broader unity the SLPP will require heading towards the 2028 elections.

Moses Mambu’s frequent reliance on provisions of the SLPP Constitution to justify positions in internal debates must equally be accompanied by political sensitivity. The party Constitution must unquestionably be respected, but constitutional provisions should not become instruments for publicly diminishing political stakeholders. Rules can regulate membership, conduct and eligibility; they cannot, by themselves, create genuine political cohesion.

Sierra Leone’s political history provides an important lesson. Internal disagreements within the SLPP contributed to political realignment ahead of the 2007 elections, when Charles Margai broke away and formed the People’s Movement for Democratic Change. The PMDC subsequently made significant inroads into traditional SLPP territory, particularly in parts of Southern Sierra Leone, before Charles Margai supported Ernest Bai Koroma of the APC during the presidential runoff. The SLPP eventually lost power.

Today’s circumstances are certainly different and that history does not determine what will happen in 2028. It nevertheless demonstrates an enduring political reality: unresolved internal divisions can carry electoral consequences.

The SLPP is bigger than Moses Mambu or any individual stakeholder. Its membership contains different ambitions, personalities, generations and political tendencies. Managing those differences requires diplomacy, consultation and mutual respect rather than inflammatory exchanges.

Confidence about winning elections is legitimate. Political entitlement is different. Neither Moses Mambu nor any party executive determines who occupies State House. Sierra Leoneans ultimately make that decision through the electoral process.

Political office is temporary. Party positions are temporary. Political influence can rise and disappear.

For a party with the SLPP’s history, internal cohesion should therefore take precedence over unnecessary political confrontation. As 2028 approaches, its spokesperson should help build bridges rather than deepen fault lines.

Sierra Leone’s political history has already demonstrated the cost that major parties can pay when internal disagreements become political fractures.

That lesson deserves serious attention. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64917