Freetown, Sierra Leone – December 8, 2025: Umaru Napoleon Koroma, the outgoing National Secretary General of Sierra Leone’s opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) from 2017 to 2025, issued a firm rebuttal today against viral social media allegations that party funds vanished during his tenure, labeling the claims “baseless” and calling for party unity ahead of the 2028 elections.
The statement, released on December 8, 2025, directly addresses a widely circulated video, reportedly featuring accusations from First Lady Fatima Bio,that alleges up to Le 1 billion (approximately US$45,000) in party funds, including proceeds from a 2024 fundraising dinner at the Bintumani Conference, were unaccounted for under the previous executive.
“I want to clarify unequivocally that no funds went missing. All expenses made under our leadership followed proper procedures and were supported by legitimate documentation,” Koroma wrote in the document, which bears the SLPP National Secretariat seal.
Confident in his administration’s transparency, Koroma welcomed the new executive to conduct a full audit, highlighting a specific deposit of “1 million new leones” from the Bintumani event as an example of accountable financial management. He cautioned party leaders, stalwarts, and stakeholders against divisive statements that could undermine individuals and fracture SLPP cohesion, especially post-leadership transition.
“We all have a duty to communicate in a manner that is constructive, truthful, and in the best interest of the SLPP,” he added, urging members to “tone down” rhetoric and prioritize victory in 2028 to “maintain and protect the legacy of President Julius Maada Bio.”
The dispute unfolds amid a rocky post-election transition for the SLPP, which lost power in the disputed June 2023 polls.
Koroma’s eight-year tenure ended following the party’s National Delegates Conference in May 2025 in Kenema, where a new executive, including National Secretary General Fatmata Sawaneh, was elected. Analysts point to recurring financial transparency issues during SLPP leadership handovers, as seen in 2011 and 2017.
As of this evening, neither Sawaneh nor the SLPP National Executive Committee has publicly responded to the audit invitation. Koroma, who recently declined a bid for National Chairman, reaffirmed his willingness to serve the party “whenever required” and extended Christmas and New Year greetings, wishing members “a joyous Christmas and holiday season as we anticipate a prosperous 2026.”
