Freetown – The National Secretary General of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Hon. Paran Tarawally, has firmly rejected comments attributed to National Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa that only President Julius Maada Bio has the authority to choose the party’s next flagbearer.
Tarawally described Songa’s remarks as the Chairman’s personal opinion that do not represent the official position of the SLPP or President Bio.
“What Batilo said is his own opinion and does not represent the party. As Secretary General, all I know is that we have not taken that decision. He was very wrong to say so,” Tarawally stated.
He insisted that President Bio would never send such a message to party officials.
“President Bio will never communicate such a message to anybody. Jimmy Batilo knew exactly what the President said.”
According to Tarawally, the President has repeatedly maintained that the party’s delegates must decide who succeeds him as flagbearer.
“President Bio has told us time and again that it is the people who have to decide on the next flagbearer.”
The Secretary General also defended the President’s democratic credentials both inside the party and nationally.
“President Bio has a democratic credential, both within the party and nationally. He has demonstrated this, and we all as Sierra Leoneans know this clearly.”
Tarawally revealed that the SLPP is expected to convene its full delegates between March and April next year (2027) to elect the next flagbearer.
“Anytime between March and April next year, we will definitely convene the entire party delegates and decide on who takes over.”
The comments follow Songa’s recent address to constituency chairmen in Bo, where he reportedly urged them to await a directive from President Bio on the flagbearer, framing it in terms of following a leader’s “commandment.” Those remarks drew criticism from some party stakeholders who argued for a free, fair and transparent process driven by delegates rather than any single directive.
This comes as the ruling party prepares for the 2028 general elections. President Bio, who is term-limited under the national Constitution, has previously emphasised that the flagbearer process must be orderly, transparent and rooted in the party’s Constitution and rules, while warning against internal division.
Earlier this year, Tarawally also clarified eligibility rules under the 2020 SLPP Constitution, naming only a limited number of members currently qualified to contest based on Distinguished Grand Chief Patron status and dues requirements, and calling for constitutional amendments to widen the pool.
The exchange highlights ongoing internal discussions within the SLPP over succession and the balance between leadership guidance and grassroots decision-making as the party looks ahead to selecting its candidate for the next presidential race.
