By: Lansana Fofanah
Following the release of the Institute for Governance Reform’s survey rating of intending flag-bearers within the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party, there has been several reactions and criticism of the report to be skewed in favor of the one-time run-away SLPP member Hon. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella who left the SLPP to form the National Grand Coalition; a party he later abandoned to rejoin the SLPP.
Critics questioned the credibility of the survey which was based on the views of the public rather than delegates with the voting power to choose the next SLPP flag-bearer.
According to stalwarts within the SLPP, it is unimaginable for the returnee Hon. Yumkella to gain popularity in the SLPP in his short period of time, since he has only been serving the government and not the party as enshrined in the constitution.
The former Chairman of the Sierra Leone People’s Party, John Oponjo Benjamin during his appearance on the Wan on Wan Liberty Online TV, said that overtaking in the SLPP is not allowed, and that there is no backdoor to the throne of clinching the flag-bearer ticket.
His comment has definitely shattered the immature political ambitions of new-kids on the block politicians.
The SLPP strong man cautioned that those who had left the party during the days of trials and went ahead to form another political party, must follow due protocols when they return back to the party; adding that there are those who had already served the party at the Distinguished grand-chief patron level waiting for such an opportunity.
“If you leave the party to form another party, and you come back, there are people ahead of you that you cannot overtake,” he said.
According to Chairman Benjamin, those who believe that their services to government in their capacity as ministers or political appointees qualifies them to contest, are only serving the government and not the party which is a key provision in the current SLPP constitution.
“The current SLPP constitution clearly define those that are qualified to lead the party and it is very clear. SLPP is a party that follows constitutional provisions and it won’t be broken like that. The party is not for sale,” he cautioned.
While few names have come up for the much-contested SLPP flag-bearer race, it is rumoured that big guns within the SLPP will soon be declaring in January 2026.
