A veteran Sierra Leonean journalist resident in Maryland, United States of America, Mr. Amadu Daramy, has commended the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) for the peaceful and transparent conduct of its recent executive elections for the next three years.
He asserted that a good number of Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora, especially in America, have pledged their unwavering commitment and support to declare for the SLPP ahead of the next elections in 2028, affirming that the party is poised for a resounding victory in the 2028 general elections.
However, Mr. Daramy pointed out that now that the dust and euphoria has settled, the SLPP must not be complacent, especially in choosing a popular and credible flag bearer and running mate that are marketable for the 2028 general elections.
He observed that if the SLPP fails to elect a popular, credible and upright flag bearer who is the people’s choice, the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) would capitalise on it to score a political point.
According to Mr. Daramy, the APC is closely studying the SLPP strategy to capitalise on its mistakes to plot its downfall.
He also advised the First Lady, Mrs. Fatima Bio, as mother of the nation, to be neutral, objective and impartial in the party’s activities as well as make responsible statements; otherwise, the gains and legacies of her husband would be washed away, and warned her to be a pillar of inspiration and support to all irrespective of tribe, religion, region, status or district.
Mr. Daramy commended the First Lady for her resilience, grace and ability to lead with calmness and dignity to inspire future generations.
“It is advisable for the SLPP to elect a popular flag bearer now that will give the party enough time to campaign ahead of the next elections,” he observed stressing that a popular and credible candidate would be very easy to market nationwide.
Mr. Daramy appealed to government to put premium on the provision of reliable electricity that is the hob and catalyst for development in other sectors like education, health, the road network, industries and agriculture and commended Dr. Kandeh Yumkella for his efforts to improve the sector.
According to the veteran journalist, parliament must enact stringent laws to punish saboteurs of electricity facilities like transformers, transmission and distribution cables to serve as a deterrent to others
He also underlined that no country can develop without reliable electricity supply and called on government not to relent in that area as electricity has multiplying effects.
The new SLPP executive was elected at the party’s 4th National Delegates Conference held from July 30–31, 2025 at the Bintumani International Conference Centre in Freetown. The two-day event brought together delegates from across the country in a spirited display of unity, democracy and celebration.
Mr. Daramy referred to his fellow SLPP supporters as “foot soldiers” and assured all that their decision to elect the new executive is a mission accomplished adding that the new executive would serve them to the best of their ability and that he is indebted to and at the same time proud of all supporters.
Mr. Daramy also expressed heartfelt thanks and appreciation to His Excellency, retired Brigadier Dr. Julius Maada Bio, whose continuous mentorship has brought the new executive thus far, the Hon Vice President, the Chief Minister, Ministers of Government, Members of Parliament and former MPs.
He further paid special tributes to delegates from the entire country and regions respectively, diasporans: North America, United Kingdom and Ireland, Canada, Australia, France, The Gambia, Liberia, Guinea, Ghana and Turkey; the Council of Elders, NYGC, Women’s Council, City and District Councils from across the country, Student Representatives from various colleges and universities and other support groups for conducting themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner.
The veteran journalist went on to acclaim the Independent Election Monitoring and Oversight Committee (IEMOC), chaired by Ambassador Mohamed Yongawo, that supervised the elections, for the peaceful, transparent and fair conduct of both candidates and delegates and observed that the conference also served as a platform to review the party’s progress and elect new national officers to lead for the next three years.
Highlighting the election results, he revealed that the National Chairman: Jimmy Batilo Songa secured the position with 618 votes, defeating Engineer Amara Jambai Kanneh, who received 396 votes, that Deputy National Chairman: Robert Kondema Kargbo led with 380 votes, followed by Veronica Kadie Sesay (265 votes), Alhaji Alpha Mohamed Kallon (210 votes) and Abu Abdulai Koroma (195 votes).
Mr. Amadu Daramy continued that for the position of Secretary General: Umar Paran Umarr Tarawally won decisively with 848 votes, far ahead of Sarjob Aziz-Kamara (101 votes), Fatmata Kaitibie Bimbi Sifoi (54 votes), Robert Tamba Michael Chakanda (37 votes), and Philip Tetema Tondonoh (9 votes).
Deputy Secretary General: Sheku Munir Turay and Jeniffer S Lahai Thompson emerged as top vote-getters with 268 and 264 votes, respectively, followed by Fayia J. K. Sesay (165 votes), Adam Yusif Mohamed Kargbo (132 votes), Mohamed Lamin Dukuray (89 votes), Mohamed Lamrana Bah (66 votes), Dwight Z.K. Sheriff (32 votes), James Raymond Charlie Tucker (14 votes), and Jacob Anthony Lahai Tarlowoh (9 votes).
For the position of Organizing Secretary: Alhassan Balogun Garawani George secured 551 votes, followed by Augustine M. Kallon (375 votes), with other candidates trailing, including Alusine Kargbo (36 votes), John Peter Amara (30 votes), Bob Sebaston Peterson (18 votes), Joliff Adekunle Milton King (17 votes), Mohamed Malaam Janneh (16 votes), and Naomi Moiba (12 votes).
According to Mr. Amadu Daramy, an indigene of Tongofields in the Lower Bambara Chiefdom, Kenema District, IEMOC praised the peaceful conduct of all aspirants, delegates and stakeholders, emphasizing the election’s adherence to democratic principles and that the committee also expressed gratitude for the cooperation that ensured a free, fair and transparent process and quoted the Chairman-elect, Mr. Jimmy Batilo Songa as conveying gratitude to the Almighty God and President Julius Maada Bio for his visionary leadership and commitment to Sierra Leone’s development also pledged to strengthen the SLPP as a vehicle for national transformation and to fully support the President’s “Big Five Game Changers.”
Paying glowing tributes to the outgoing National Chairman, Dr. Prince Alex Harding, Mr. Daramy said Mr. Batilo Songa lauded Mr. Harding’s institutional reforms and promised to build on the foundation he had laid, appealed for reconciliation, especially among unsuccessful aspirants, to unite under a common agenda underscoring, “we are not opponents; we are allies in a common cause and under the leadership of the new chairman, there will be no factions, no camps only One SLPP.”
He also commended the new chairman for unveiling the “Batilo Blueprint,” a strategic roadmap to modernize the party’s structures through digital innovation, grassroots empowerment and greater participation of women and youths, affirming that the SLPP would continue evolving into a results-driven institution focused on improving the lives of Sierra Leoneans.
Looking ahead to the 2028 general elections, Mr. Daramy said Batilo Songa has vowed to translate the SLPP’s 2023 Manifesto into measurable progress, and warned the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) that a third consecutive SLPP mandate is within reach, articulating, “a third term for the SLPP is not just a goal, it is an imminent reality driven by the will of the people and the credibility of the new leadership.”
Mr. Daramy also disclosed that the new chairman-elected Mr. Batilo Songa, has announced plans for a nationwide and diaspora-wide “Thank You Tour” aimed at deepening grassroots engagement and mobilizing support, reaffirming his commitment to the SLPP’s core values of discipline, justice, loyalty, unity and progress, and concluded with the resounding call: “One Country, One People; One SLPP, One Destiny.”
