Ibrahim Gbla has dismissed claims that he is serving as the Acting Mayor of Freetown, clarifying that he was selected to represent the leadership of Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) councillors within the Freetown City Council (FCC).

Gbla made the statement to address what he described as widespread misconceptions about his role, emphasizing that his position is strictly internal to the SLPP councillors.

He explained that his selection followed concerns raised over the treatment of SLPP councillors under the leadership of elected Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr. The matter was escalated to SLPP Chairman Sahr Jimmy Batilo Songa, prompting discussions on the way forward.

“After we engaged with the Chairman, he advised that we, as SLPP councillors, should select a leader among ourselves to coordinate and represent our interests within the council,” Gbla said.

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Following the chairman’s directive, SLPP councillors chose Gbla to serve as their internal leader, representing the collective voice of the party within the council.

“I want to make it clear to the people of Sierra Leone that I am not the Acting Mayor of Freetown. I am representing the leadership of SLPP councillors,” Gbla stated.

He added that his focus is to provide proactive leadership, strengthen collaboration among SLPP councillors, and ensure their concerns are effectively addressed in council deliberations.

The clarification comes amid ongoing political dynamics at the FCC, as the opposition APC, including the Mayor of Freetown, continues a governance boycott over grievances regarding the appointment of Edmond Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner.