Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally, Grand Chief Patron, National Delegate and aspirant for the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) flagbearer position, has strongly rejected allegations that he holds dual membership of the SLPP and the Citizens Democratic Party (CDP).

Tarawally made the claims in a letter dated September 18, 2026, addressed to SLPP National Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa, following a previous letter from Songa concerning his membership status.

Tarawally described the allegations as “untruthful and misleading” and accused the SLPP Chairman of attempting to damage his reputation within the party and internationally.

He maintained that he has not been a member of the CDP since 2018, saying he formally resigned from the party that year before returning to the SLPP.

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According to Tarawally, he has not paid membership dues to the CDP, attended its meetings, participated in its activities or made financial contributions to the party since 2018.

He further stated that following his return to the SLPP, he became a registered and fully paid-up member of the party, with his dues allegedly paid up to 2028.

Tarawally also cited his participation in the SLPP’s 2025 National Delegates Conference as evidence of his membership, stating that he was a credentialed delegate and participated in the voting process.

The 2025 conference, held at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Freetown, saw Songa elected National Chairman after securing 618 votes against Amara Kanneh’s 396 votes. 

Tarawally argued that if the current SLPP leadership considers him to have been a non-member at the time, questions would arise over the validity of his participation as a delegate at the convention.

He also challenged Songa’s authority to unilaterally terminate or question his membership, arguing that the SLPP Constitution does not give the National Chairman disciplinary powers to expel a member without following the party’s established procedures.

According to Tarawally, any disciplinary action against him should involve the appropriate party structures, including the Disciplinary Committee and the National Executive Council (NEC), and should afford him an opportunity to respond to the allegations.

He accused Songa of acting without consulting the NEC or giving him an opportunity to defend himself.

Tarawally further highlighted what he described as his longstanding contributions to the SLPP, claiming that he financed party activities in 2018 when Songa served as National Organizing Secretary and worked under his supervision in 2023 when Tarawally was Chairman of the party’s Security Committee.

He also claimed to have financed campaign activities for President Julius Maada Bio across the country and contributed to the construction of SLPP party offices in various districts.

Tarawally maintained that his status as a Grand Chief Patron, National Delegate and flagbearer aspirant remains intact, insisting that his membership and political participation cannot be terminated through what he described as an administrative decision.

The SLPP’s internal governance is subject to its party constitution, alongside Sierra Leone’s constitutional and statutory framework governing political parties. The Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC), ahead of the SLPP’s 2025 national conference, reminded party members that internal party matters should be handled in accordance with the SLPP Constitution, the 1991 Constitution and the Political Parties Act, among other laws. 

Tarawally also announced plans for possible legal action against Songa, alleging that the publication and circulation of the membership allegations amounted to cyberbullying and damage to his reputation.

He said his legal team had been instructed to explore available remedies under Sierra Leonean law, including provisions relating to cyber offences, defamation and constitutional rights.

Concluding his response, Tarawally reaffirmed his allegiance to the SLPP and insisted that he remains a fully paid-up member, Grand Chief Patron, National Delegate and aspirant for the party’s flagbearer position.

“I am SLPP. I remain SLPP. And I will not be intimidated,” Tarawally stated.