SLPP's Paran Refutes Claims of Handpicked Flagbearer

SLPP's Paran Refutes Claims of Handpicked Flagbearer

Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) National Secretary General Paran Tarawally has publicly refuted claims by National Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa that President Julius Maada Bio will handpick the party’s next flagbearer.

Appearing on AYV’s State of the Nation, Tarawally emphasized that the SLPP has not made any official determination on presidential succession, dismissing Songa’s statements as personal opinion.

“What Batilo said is his own opinion and does not represent the party. As Secretary General, all I know is that we have not taken that decision,” Tarawally stated.

The controversy follows comments by Chairman Songa urging constituency leaders in Bo to wait for President Bio’s recommendation and endorse his chosen successor.

However, Tarawally denied that President Bio directed Songa to deliver such a message, insisting the President supports an open democratic process.

“President Bio has told us time and again that it is the people who have to decide on the next flagbearer,”

Tarawally reiterated, stressing that party delegates will elect the candidate.

Debate over leadership succession comes as political parties look ahead to the 2028 elections. Tarawally revealed that the SLPP plans to hold its national delegates convention in early 2027 to decide the presidential nomination.

“Anytime between March and April next year, we will definitely convene the entire party delegates and decide on who takes over,” he said.

The public pushback highlights internal debate within the governing party, but Tarawally remains adamant that the delegate vote will serve as the sole determining factor for the 2028 flagbearer.