SLPP’s Secretary General, Paran Tarawally has hit back hard at National Chairman, Jimmy Batilo Songa’s comments that only President Julius Maada Bio can pick the party’s next flagbearer.
Tarawally made it clear that what Songa said is just his personal view. It is not the party’s position and it is not what President Bio has said.
“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 further noted that, “President Bio will never communicate such a message to anybody. Jimmy Batilo knew exactly what the President said.”
President Bio has told us time and again that it is the people who have to decide on the next flagbearer.
Tarawally repeated that point strongly. He said the President has always maintained that the delegates must choose who takes over.
Tarawally also praised Bio’s democratic record both inside the SLPP and across the country.
“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.”
The party plans to bring all its delegates together 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,” Tarawally said.
This comes after Songa spoke to constituency chairmen in Bo and told them to wait for a directive from President Bio. He even framed it like following a leader’s “commandment.” Some party members quickly pushed back, insisting the process must stay free, fair and driven by the delegates, not by any single order.
President Bio himself is term-limited under the national Constitution and cannot run again in 2028. He has repeatedly called for an orderly, transparent process based on the party’s own rules and has warned against internal fights.
Earlier this year Tarawally also reminded members that under the 2020 SLPP Constitution only a small number of people currently qualify to contest, because of the Distinguished Grand Chief Patron requirement and dues. He has called for changes to open the field wider.
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