A veteran delegate of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) from Kenema District has cautioned that the party risks internal division and possible electoral defeat if perceived presidential or first-family endorsements continue to dominate the race to succeed President Julius Maada Bio.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the long-serving party delegate warned that ongoing claims by some aspirants that their candidacy is backed either by President Bio or First Lady Fatima Bio could split the party ahead of the 2026 flagbearer convention and potentially trigger post-election petitions after the 2028 general elections.
She expressed concern that the SLPP has drifted away from its long-standing internal democratic traditions, noting that when she began voting as a delegate over two decades ago, delegates exercised their mandate independently, free from undue influence.
“Delegates must be allowed to vote or not vote for any aspirant without pressure or intimidation,” she said.
The delegate recalled that signs of the problem first became evident during the party’s last national delegates’ conference at the Bintumani Conference Centre, where party executives were elected. According to her, the First Lady publicly declared that she had the support of over 400 delegates, a move she described as unprecedented in the party’s history.
She noted that President Bio later distanced himself from such claims by stating publicly that any candidate who secured the majority of votes would be duly elected. However, she stressed that since the SLPP’s formation in 1951, it had never been customary for a sitting President or First Lady to openly associate themselves with or endorse candidates in internal party contests.
She further alleged that during the convention, some successful aspirants publicly thanked the First Lady for her role in the process—an action she described as inappropriate and damaging to the credibility of the internal democratic process.
“That undermines the freedom and confidence of other aspirants who participated in the elections,” she said.
While acknowledging that it is common for aspirants to invest heavily in campaigns to gain a competitive edge, the delegate maintained that such practices are less harmful than direct or perceived interference by an outgoing presidential couple.
She urged fellow delegates to resist pressure and uphold the integrity of the party for the sake of its long-term survival.
“You must remain flexible and principled for future gains,” she advised.
