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Amidst growing concerns of internal discord, senior figures within the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) are cautioning President Julius Maada Bio against repeating the mistakes of the main opposition, the All Peoples Congress (APC).
As the SLPP gears up for future leadership transitions, members fear a potential rift that could mirror the disunity seen within the APC after former President Ernest Bai Koroma’s controversial selection of Dr. Samura Kamara as the party’s flagbearer in 2018.
Sources within the SLPP leadership have revealed mounting anxiety over President Bio’s approach to succession planning. Since his second term began, there has been widespread speculation that he might attempt to anoint a young, relatively unknown member of the party as his successor. This has led to fears of a major internal conflict between the party’s veteran members and the new generation of politicians who have recently ascended to positions of power within the government.
“President Bio deserves credit for bringing young people into the party’s leadership,” one SLPP Executive member remarked. “However, if he tries to impose one of these new faces as his successor, it could lead to unprecedented disunity within the party.”
During his first term, President Bio’s appointments were widely viewed as a “payback” to individuals who had supported him financially and otherwise during his time in exile. Many of these appointees were drawn from the diaspora and were seen as lacking the necessary commitment or qualifications for their roles. This led to widespread criticism that his first-term administration had failed to deliver on key promises to the people of Sierra Leone.
Following the contested June 2023 presidential election, which saw Bio’s re-election amidst accusations of electoral malpractice, the President introduced several young and new faces into the party and government. However, the veteran members who were sidelined from government positions remain influential within the party, setting the stage for a potential power struggle.
“There is a real risk that the SLPP could face the same fate as the APC in 2018 if this situation is not managed carefully,” warned another party stalwart. The APC’s internal strife following the selection of Dr. Samura Kamara, a technocrat with little grassroots support, serves as a cautionary tale for the SLPP.
In an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of his new appointees and prevent being misled by those he trusts, President Bio has introduced performance contracts for the heads of various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). However, insiders have criticized the lack of proper monitoring and communication regarding the performance of these government bodies.
“The chief minister is more of a social media figure than an effective leader. There’s no real communication between the government and the people,” one source lamented. “Many hardworking individuals in the MDAs are not getting the recognition they deserve because their achievements are not being communicated to the public.”
As the SLPP navigates these turbulent waters, the future leadership of the party remains uncertain. With President Bio’s potential influence on the succession process, the party faces a delicate balancing act to maintain unity and avoid the pitfalls of internal division.
Many are questioning the neutrality and professionalism of “Sierraloaded” stating that it’s an SLPP owned and managed media network. What has the APC Party got to do with what’s going on in the SLPP about transition of power? Dr. Samura MW Kamara was overwhelmingly voted as the APC Party’s flag bearer and now President Elect of the republic of Sierra Leone. Write about SLPP and leave Dr Samura MW Kamara alone.
If he chooses Dr Sengeh the SLPP will loose.
Samura Kamara is president elect? Where and when did this happen? Are you a schtick Greg?
Even though we are yet to reach and cross the bridge of SLPP leadership President Bio please note that it will be in the best interest of most SLPP grass root supporters to see DR.ALIE KABBA emerged as the party next flag bearer aspirants for the (2028) Presidential and general elections,this is simply because he is the most fittest and most deserved would be contesting candidate among all would be contesting aspirants. Make no mistake President Bio and the entire Senior SLPP members or else 2028 elections will be a negative story for the SLPP in terms of leadership . Iam not in anyway connected directly or maybe indirectly to Dr.Alie Kabba but to me and most SLPP grass root supporters he deserved to be your successor Pa Bio remember he was your Campaign. Chairman before the 2018 general elections and you deeply know what that means for you and the SLPP.I could still recalled when he once introduced you to us as a guest speaker during the 2018 general elections camping right on Fourah Bay College campus” so Pa Bio nor shake do yaa” as human we should learn to always remember the past imagine the entire world looking at you lonta….
We the grassroot supporters of the SLPP already know the people who are going to replace President Bio and VP Juldeh Jalloh. Those of you who knows Dr. Alie Kabba should go and tell him not to waste his time because he is definitely not in the picture at all.
We never seem to learn, allowing one man, and one man/woman only, to determine his/her succession. It’s sowing the seeds of discord in an organization…