Chairman of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Jimmy Batilo Songa, has reaffirmed the party’s unwavering support for President Julius Maada Bio, saying the party will continue to rely on his leadership until a successor is chosen. Songa made the remarks on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, during an SLPP party meeting held at the party’s headquarters, where he said the party would continue to praise President Bio for the electoral successes he has brought to the party.

“We will continue to praise Maada Bio,” Songa declared.

He further explained that the party would continue to tell the President that his leadership remains central to the party’s ability to win elections, adding that Bio would continue to guide until the party settles on a successor.

Songa’s comments come as the SLPP begins looking ahead to the 2028 presidential election and the question of who will eventually succeed President Bio as the party’s presidential candidate.

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The issue of succession is expected to become increasingly important within the governing party as preparations for the next electoral cycle develop.

Several prominent figures have been mentioned in discussions surrounding the party’s future leadership, with Songa himself reportedly expressing an intention to contest for the party’s leadership alongside other potential contenders.

However, the question of who should lead the SLPP into the next election remains subject to internal party discussions.

While Songa has indicated his intention to seek the party’s leadership, some voices within the SLPP are reportedly advocating for a younger candidate.

Those pushing for younger leadership argue that President Bio’s administration has built significant support among young people and that the party’s next generation of leadership should reflect the country’s youthful population.

There are also calls within sections of the party for a younger Vice President who could potentially succeed Bio and provide continuity while giving younger politicians a greater role in national leadership.

The debate has fuelled expectations that the SLPP’s eventual presidential primary could attract strong competition, particularly if a youth-oriented bloc emerges to challenge more established figures.

President Bio remains the central figure within the SLPP as the party prepares for its next political chapter.

Chairman Songa’s latest remarks underline the continued importance of Bio’s leadership to the party, while the emerging debate over succession signals that attention is gradually shifting towards who will carry the SLPP into the 2028 presidential race.

As the party moves closer to its internal selection process, questions surrounding experience, generational change and the party’s electoral strategy are likely to shape the contest for its next presidential candidate.