A public rift erupted within Sierra Leone’s ruling party, SLPP, on Thursday after its national chairman suggested President Julius Maada Bio alone should pick the next flagbearer, a claim the party’s secretary general immediately denounced as “very wrong” and a personal opinion that does not reflect the president’s stance.

The disagreement exposes raw tensions within the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) as it navigates a delicate succession ahead of the 2028 general elections, with President Bio constitutionally barred from seeking another term.

National Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa, speaking recently to constituency chairmen in Bo, urged members to await a directive from President Bio on the flagbearer, framing it in religious terms as following a leader’s “commandment”. He reportedly said that if the president presents a name, party members should respond by following that direction.

But Secretary General Hon. Paran Tarawally pushed back forcefully, insisting that Songa’s remarks were unauthorised.

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“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.

Tarawally asserted that President Bio would never communicate such a message to party officials, adding that “Jimmy Batilo knew exactly what the President said”. According to the secretary general, the president has repeatedly insisted that the party’s delegates must decide who succeeds him.

“President Bio has told us time and again that it is the people who have to decide on the next flagbearer,” Tarawally said. He also defended the president’s democratic credentials, both within the party and nationally.

Tarawally disclosed that the SLPP is expected to convene its full delegates between March and April 2027 to elect the next flagbearer. The clash comes months after Tarawally 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. He has also called for constitutional amendments to widen the pool of candidates.

Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh has previously aligned himself with the chairman’s position, stating on Facebook that the party would be “100% guided by whatever H.E. President Bio” decides.

Political observers view the exchange as part of broader internal discussions over the balance between leadership guidance and grassroots decision-making as the SLPP looks ahead to selecting its candidate for the next presidential race.