Hon. Paran Tarawally, Secretary General of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), has named seven individuals as the only members currently qualified to contest the party’s Flagbearer position, while highlighting the need for constitutional review to broaden eligibility. He made the remarks during an interview with Truth Media.

According to Mr. Tarawally, the seven qualified members are: Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Dr. Prince Alex Harding, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, Sulaiman Banja Tejan-Sie, Jacob Jusu Saffa, John Oponjo Benjamin, and Alhaji Momodu Koroma.

“All of these individuals have served in the Distinguished Grand Chief Patron category for five years or more and have fully paid their dues for the period,” he said.

He explained that to qualify for the Distinguished Chief Patron category, a person must have served as Leader, Deputy Leader, Party National Chairman, or National Secretary General, or have been a Presidential or Vice-Presidential candidate of the SLPP.

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Mr. Tarawally further noted that if the party strictly follows the constitution, there are twelve qualified individuals, including President Julius Maada Bio, Party Chairman Batilo Songa, his deputy, and himself. However, three of these twelve have not met the five-year threshold, and President Bio, according to the national constitution, is not eligible for another term. Additionally, Dr. Sama Banya is unlikely to contest due to his age.

“This situation underscores the need to amend the party constitution, because a party with about two million members cannot afford to choose its next leader from just seven people,” he said.

Mr. Tarawally also raised concerns about members who previously held distinguished patron status.

“There are certain people who have paid their dues in advance and were distinguished patrons before 2021, yet the 2021 constitution now disadvantages them from that position. The party needs to answer these questions to ensure fairness and inclusivity.”