The running mate issue within the ruling SLPP (Sierra Leone Peoples Party) has reached boiling point triggering debates and discussions. President Julius Maada Bio is yet to name running mate since his controversial re-election in December, the previous year. It is not clear whether Juldeh Jalloh, a man who has been grappling with a number of allegations. He was recently accused of interfering with Guinean election as well as ordering the release of a murder convict.

These allegations seriously weighed down on bio’s government. By practice, a running mate is appointed three months after the flag-bearer has emerged from the party. Many within SLPP holds the view that VP Juldeh might be dropped for another candidate except a miracle is worked out.
The Vice President, many say, is not too popular within North-west region where SLPP is struggling to get votes. As the party members left in the dark, suspicious and misgivings linger.

Many say Alpha Kanu, Resident Minister and Presidential Spokesman might be picked up for the vice presidency. Kanu impressed President Bio and key SLPP members in the immediate post-election period in 2018. Kanu who was a staunch and ardent APC member appealed to his comrades to throw their weight behind SLPP after Bio was pronounced President of Sierra Leone.

His call for the acceptance of the election’s outcome contributed greatly in the country’s peace and stability in the transition period. Bio’s victory in 2018 create some security problems making it difficult to hit the ground running. The ground was however softened by Alpha Kanu that made it easy for Bio to put in place his government structure. Kanu gained Bio’s admiration from that point.

Eyes are now fixed to the Resident Minister as Bio’s next running mate. Many seemed not to have agreed with any argument that presents Kanu as the next flag-bearer. Attention has been shifted to Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella as SLPP running mate favourite although he has been elected NGC (National Grand Coalition)’s leader and bearer for 2023 elections.

Many Sierra Leoneans have strongly argued that Dr Yumkella could stand down as NGC flag-bearer if appointed as Bio’s running mate. Although Yumkella was Bio’s main challenger in 2018, they are good friends of late. Previously, Dr Yumkella would accompany President Bio on most of his tours to the provinces. Both were in Kambia, few months ago, succinctly canvassing for votes ahead of time.

In spite of the humiliation meted to Dr Yumkella at the SLPP headquarters in Freetown, he introduced Bio as a good friend, a move that sparked several discussions and debates. Many blame Yumkella for extending such largesse to a man whose thugs humiliated him with is mum.

Yumkella however fits into the adage: there is time for war and time for peace. Certainly, Bio has sued for peace, but it is not clear whether it is genuine peace. The tight race for the vice presidency still continues, and former Chief Minister, Professor David Francis’ Name has prominently featured there.
Professor Francis who now sits as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation appears close to Bio. Many say their intimate relationship has a beginning in England. Both were residing there and Prof Francis had been lecturing Maada Bio. President Bio might reward the professor for lecturing and mentoring him in foreign university.

Prof Francis was still retained in governance despite serious corruption allegations made against him by credible news agencies including Africanist Press, a US-based media institution. It is very difficult for Sierra Leone Presidents and Vice Presidents to hook up together after their tenure, President Siaka Stevens fell out with his Vice President Sorie Ibrahim Koroma when their mandate came to an end.

Mr Koroma, commonly known as S.I backed out of the race for presidency when it was clear that he did not enjoy the support of his boss, President Stevens. He retired to live life of an upcountry gentleman working on his garden at Magbingbira village in Port Loko district. President Ahmed Tejan Kabba also did not end well with his Vice President Albert Joe Demby.
He replaced Demby with Solomon Ekuma Berewa in 2002. It was the same with President Ernest Bai Koroma and chief Samuel Sam Sumana. Both did not end well and they latter ended up forming his own political party. So be with President and VP Juldeh Jalloh.