POLITICS Double Standards Player...The Many Faces of SLPP Chairman John Benjamin Posted by on May 10, 2009, 13:31

Double Standards...Master of The Art SLPP Chairman John Benjamin

He is not a chameleon, a human being created out of the likeness of the image of God. Socrates would call him like any other human being a political creature, born free but everywhere he goes he is in chain. It is not known whether Socrates was referring to the physical chain or the conscience. Sometime, during his existence he would speak in parables like Jesus Christ talking to his congregation, admirers and disciples. Socrates was accused by the people of Athens of speaking almost the same way of poisoning the minds of the youth because of statements and arguments he put to them, which only required them to think critically. It is almost the same way Jesus Christ talked to the people, this was to prevent misinterpretation and misrepresentation of the speaker, and like the response he gave to the Pharisees “They say you are the King of the Jews”? So you say. This is just an example of how big men with experience speak. When they talk, they leave their audience to make critical judgements and interpretations. They are always guided by experience, exposure and maturity.

Unlike John Benjamin, whose behaviour is explicitly predicted when the issues of business and politics come into discussion; one hardly takes an oath or lifts his/her head in defence of him. Either the discussion or conclusion are obvious or indictment certain. In business, he wants to always be at the top. But, this is not bad as is the wish of every good and successful businessman and woman. What is bad is the creation of a monopolistic situation that can promote excessive demands of goods and services which always benefit the monopolist and increase the suffering of the masses. The supply of ATM machines is one area that he has successfully dominated and is paying him reasonably well. In business that is what business people crave for. Whether it is against the wish and desire of the consumers is less or not important to them, which Mr. Benjamin should not be indicted for by the consumers as he has no competition in this area.

The other face of him is the political, which is ugly and unacceptable in any decent society. This face of John Benjamin is what is not appreciated by the public and even some of his party members. This is because he most of the time uses indecent methods for power. The coup of 1992 that he always brags about has put a dent on his political career as somebody who is over ambitious for power and can stop at nothing. Going by Socrates description of man that is a political being, it however does not mean that decency and principles should not be followed. By now, without anybody telling him that this press is in possession of documentary evidence and recorded cassette of meetings held in Kenema and other part of the country, where he made certain pronouncements that do not augur well for the political and human development of the country, and going through the past publications of the Standard Times Press and today’s edition he would caution himself, or asked how did these guys get the materials they are publishing?.

Perhaps, Silvia Blyden would begin to jump up and down to defend him, which would not only be fruitless, but an aimless and unproductive exercise. For those who are saying that the information was manufactured by the editorial staff of this medium, may be thinking like somebody who has lost his vision and groping in the dark. The man called John Benjamin knows that serious investigative journalists go for the news, news that can make good headlines and not news that can compromise their professional stance, but news that can make them credible journalists in society.

In 1997/98 the AFRC illegal regime accused the proprietor and staff of this medium of being ex-President Kabbah’s sympathizers and beneficiary of the exiled SLPP government. This was when all efforts to convince the staff of the medium to support their illegal course, with several offers made to them failed and their refusal led to the burning and destruction of some of their houses, killing of workers and burning of the office. But the truth came to light when they were kicked out of the illegal power they had occupied. In 2007 and till date the SLPP is accusing this same media house of being supporters of the APC government. It is very certain that the APC in future will accuse this same media house of supporting the PMDC or the SLPP or in their payroll vouchers. What these people don’t know is the fact that the proprietor of the Standard Times needs no job or contracts from any of these political institutions that can compromise his professional or ethical position. 

The accusation will go on and on until he retires from this honourable and noble profession. He would never be like John Benjamin who would lash out and bite the SLPP because they owe him money and when promise of payment is made will surrender to them and say “I am your son for better or for worse take me as I am” Perhaps, Silvia Blyden would want to know when such event occurred. It took place in Segbewema in the Kailahun District, when John Oponjo Benjamin was Chairman of the National Unity Party (NUP). He had supplied computers and other items to state house, but because he was hostile to the SLPP he now serves as Chairman, the party refused to pay him, and was advised by one of his closest friends who was a very senior Commercial Bank official that if he continues behaving the way he was doing the SLPP would not pay him, therefore he should adopt a friendly posture; which he did when ex-president Kabbah went to that part of the country on an official visit.

Ngor John surrendered, begged and transferred to the SLPP. He received his payment quietly and since then he became an SLPP. About his sincerity, that again is questionable. He can betray his biological brother for political office and would say to him, don’t blame me “I was called to serve the nation”. This again may sound strange to Silvia Blyden that the SLPP Convention in Makeni was where John Benjamin showed his true character that he should not be trusted when it comes to matters of politics. He was to nominate Mr. J.B.Dauda as a Presidential Candidate for the 2007 election. All arrangements had been sealed and settled, but when he was promised the position of Minister of Finance, he dumped Mr. J.B.Dauda and entered Solomon Berewa’s camp. After the convention, perhaps if Silvia Blyden is courageous and sincere can tell what happened next. Is this the type of person to trust?