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Former National Secretary General of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Sulaiman Baja Tejan-Sie Esq., has expressed concern over the pace of the country’s ongoing constitutional review process, warning that it is being rushed without adequate public education and national consensus.
Tejan-Sie made the remarks during a recent media engagement, where he questioned the timing and approach of the proposed constitutional reforms. According to him, the current process does not allow sufficient time for citizens to fully understand the implications of constitutional changes.
“The process is too hasty for a constitutional review for now and I think we should give it more time to be able to educate the people properly,” Tejan-Sie said. “By 2028, the people will be in a better position not only to vote for their new leaders but to vote for a new Constitution.”
He argued that constitutional reform should not be driven by political urgency, but by the national interest. Tejan-Sie stressed that the Constitution is a foundational document that must reflect the collective aspirations and rights of all Sierra Leoneans, rather than the priorities of any political group.
“When it comes to Constitution, the national interest should take precedent. We should not look at the Constitution with the political lens,” he added.
Tejan-Sie’s call for a 2028 timeline, which coincides with the next general elections, suggests a more deliberate and inclusive approach. He indicated that such a timeline would allow for widespread civic education, public dialogue and informed participation before any referendum on constitutional changes.
His comments come amid growing public discussion as the government signals urgency in advancing constitutional amendments. Critics of the accelerated process have warned that moving too quickly could undermine public trust and result in reforms that lack legitimacy or fail to address broader governance challenges.
Tejan-Sie’s intervention reflects concerns shared by some civic advocates and legal commentators who believe that meaningful constitutional reform must be grounded in public understanding and broad national agreement.
