Strong SLPP Party Stewart Criticizes Chief Minister’s Appointment

𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐡’𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞, 𝐀 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐋𝐏𝐏’𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲

David Moinina Sengeh’s appointment as Chair of the SLPP’s Constitutional Review Committee is raising serious alarms. It not only jeopardizes the credibility of the committee but also the broader democratic process within the party.

This appointment introduces a direct conflict of interest that undermines the impartiality needed for such a pivotal task.

Sengeh, a declared contender for the SLPP’s 2028 flagbearer position, now finds himself in a position where he will help determine the very rules that will govern that contest. This is unacceptable and a departure from the values of fairness and transparency that have long guided our party.

Sengeh’s ambition to run for the 2028 SLPP flagbearer is well known. Groups are already forming to support his candidacy. How can he, as Chair of the committee responsible for drafting the eligibility standards and qualifications for flagbearer candidates, remain neutral? He stands to directly benefit from the rules he helps to create. Such a blatant conflict of interest cannot be ignored, especially when the stakes are this high.

The SLPP, known for its commitment to democracy and justice, cannot allow one individual to hold such undue influence over a process that will shape the future of the party. Allowing Sengeh to serve as Chair while preparing to compete for the flagbearer position not only erodes trust but could also permanently damage the party’s credibility.

There are strict rules that govern SLPP executives’ participation in internal contests. Party executives, with the exception of the Leader and Deputy, are generally barred from running for flagbearer. Yet, Sengeh’s dual role as Chair of the Constitutional Review Committee and an aspiring flagbearer candidate threatens to dismantle these long-held traditions. If he is allowed to remain in his role while pursuing his political ambitions, it will set a dangerous precedent that undermines the rules that have kept our party fair and balanced.

The resolution passed by the National Executive Council (NEC) granting President Bio the authority to appoint the Chair of the Constitutional Review Committee does not negate the need to uphold democratic principles. The appointment of a potential flagbearer candidate to this critical role introduces a bias that cannot be ignored. It is essential that the party leadership addresses this issue immediately to avoid further controversy.

Recent events have further highlighted the urgency for a leadership change within the Constitutional Review Committee. Leaked reports suggest that key members of the committee have been denied access to important documents, including the much-anticipated constitutional review matrix. This lack of transparency is troubling and directly contradicts the values of openness and accountability that the SLPP is supposed to represent.

The party’s leadership must intervene to restore confidence in this process. Sengeh’s continued leadership not only casts a shadow over the committee’s work but also raises questions about its integrity. Transparency must be at the heart of this process, and that begins with appointing a neutral Chair, someone without a personal stake in the outcome of the flagbearer race.

There are only two viable options to resolve this crisis: Sengeh must either step down as Chair of the Constitutional Review Committee, or he must be disqualified from running for the flagbearer position. Any solution that does not address the conflict of interest at hand will only lead to deeper divisions within the party and may result in prolonged legal battles that will distract from the SLPP’s greater mission.

To further ensure transparency, the party must demand a full report on the committee’s activities to date. This includes meeting minutes, attendance records, and key decisions. The membership of the SLPP has the right to know how this critical process is being conducted. Only by shedding light on these proceedings can the party hope to regain the trust of its members.

The SLPP has long been a pillar of democracy and justice in Sierra Leone. We cannot afford to let a conflict of interest tarnish the constitutional review process. The future of the party depends on a fair and transparent review of our rules, and that begins with ensuring that no one with a vested interest is allowed to influence the outcome.

At this crucial juncture in our party’s history, we must uphold the democratic values that have guided us for decades. The integrity of the upcoming flagbearer election must be protected at all costs. Sengeh’s appointment as Chair of the Constitutional Review Committee is a direct threat to this process. The time for corrective action is now.

We, the members of the SLPP, cannot sit idly by while our democratic process is compromised. Immediate steps must be taken to safeguard the integrity of the party’s internal review and ensure that the next flagbearer selection is conducted with the highest standards of fairness and transparency.

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲! 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞!