The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), once buoyed by high hopes and great ambitions, is now showing cracks in its foundation. As time reveals the harsh realities behind the party’s policies and governance strategies, it is becoming increasingly clear that the SLPP’s grip on power is slipping. From faltering economic promises to widespread dissatisfaction across key regions, there is a growing sense that the party’s reign is facing a critical test. The clock is ticking, and every misstep only amplifies the discontent across Sierra Leone.
When President Julius Maada Bio and the SLPP took power, they did so on the back of bold promises. “Free Quality Education” was touted as a flagship initiative, aiming to uplift the country’s young generation and invest in a brighter future. At the outset, the program stirred optimism. But with time, shortcomings in implementation have led to frustration. While schools have seen rising enrollment, the system still grapples with overcrowded classrooms, poorly equipped facilities, and insufficiently trained teachers. Education remains far from the promised “quality” standard, causing parents and students alike to question whether this initiative was ever more than political rhetoric.
Economic challenges have further eroded trust in the SLPP. Inflation, rising living costs, and job scarcity have intensified under Bio’s administration, leaving many struggling to make ends meet. In regions like the southeast, where SLPP support traditionally runs deep, there is now a growing sense of disillusionment. People expected more, particularly in terms of job creation, improved infrastructure, and a strong social safety net.
What’s especially alarming for the SLPP is the erosion of support even in its strongholds. Historically, the southeast has been the SLPP’s base of political power, with regions like Kenema and Bo giving consistent support. But now, there are indications that even these loyal regions are beginning to waver. In recent months, the dissatisfaction with President Bio’s leadership has found a voice in music and art, with artists from Kenema and Bo releasing tracks that critique his administration. These songs, resonating strongly with local youth, are more than just music; they represent a cultural and political shift that speaks to growing frustration.
These criticisms aren’t merely grievances—they are public statements of disenchantment. Music has always been a powerful form of protest, and these tracks signify that the patience of even the SLPP’s base may be wearing thin. For a party that once seemed to have an unshakable connection to the southeasterners, these developments are a troubling sign of eroding support.
Beyond economic and social grievances, the SLPP is also facing increasing scrutiny over issues of corruption and lack of transparency. Despite promises to root out corruption, allegations of mismanagement and favouritism have dogged Bio’s administration. Reports of lavish spending by government officials and dubious dealings have led many to question the integrity of the SLPP’s leadership. This discrepancy between Bio’s anti-corruption promises and the reality of governance has fuelled public skepticism.
Furthermore, SLPP’s handling of infrastructure projects has been a point of contention. The much-publicized Lungi Bridge project, which was to connect the capital Freetown with Lungi, remains stagnant and unfulfilled. Promised as a transformative project, its lack of progress has only highlighted the administration’s inability to deliver on high-stakes promises. Such visible failures in delivering on major projects give the opposition ample material to critique and are clear signals to citizens that the SLPP is struggling to follow through.
Adding to the SLPP’s woes is internal strife within the party. As President Bio’s term progresses, fractures within the SLPP have become more pronounced, with factional battles surfacing over potential successors and policy directions. The Chief Minister’s aspirations to succeed Bio have reportedly caused friction with other influential members, creating a sense of instability within the party. This internal discord weakens the SLPP’s public image and threatens to make it harder for the party to present a unified front going into the 2028 elections.
In politics, unity is strength, and a fractured SLPP cannot afford to present itself as divided at such a critical juncture. The public is keenly aware of the party’s internal struggles, which only compounds the perception that the SLPP’s time is running out.
The All People’s Congress (APC) and other opposition voices are poised to seize on the SLPP’s missteps. The APC has already begun to capitalize on public frustration by focusing on SLPP’s unfulfilled promises, regional dissatisfaction, and economic mismanagement. If the APC continues to gain traction, the SLPP will find it challenging to maintain the broad support it needs to stay in power.
Moreover, young Sierra Leoneans, a demographic that once rallied behind Bio’s “new direction,” are now a powerful voting bloc, many of whom are disillusioned by the lack of job opportunities and meaningful reforms. The younger generation’s concerns are becoming increasingly influential in Sierra Leone’s political landscape, and unless the SLPP can address these issues, it risks losing their support. As 2028 approaches, these voters may see the APC as a viable alternative, further eroding SLPP’s voter base.
Time is indeed telling on the SLPP, and every passing day brings a new reminder of its struggles. From economic difficulties and regional disenchantment to internal divisions and unmet promises, the SLPP faces an uphill battle to retain public trust. If the party does not address these issues decisively, it may well find itself on the losing end of the 2028 elections.
In politics, perception is everything, and right now, the SLPP is losing ground not only because of actual failings but also due to the perception that it is a party of unfulfilled promises and internal chaos. It is a pivotal moment for Sierra Leone’s ruling party, and whether it can regain its footing remains to be seen. For the APC and other opposition groups, however, the SLPP’s struggles are an open door to power, and they seem prepared to walk through it.
The SLPP may still have time to turn the tide, but it must act swiftly and decisively. Rebuilding public trust, addressing economic grievances, and fostering unity within the party are essential if it hopes to stem the erosion of support. Yet, with every misstep, time seems to tell the same story: a party that once promised change is now grappling with its own limitations, and a populace that once placed its faith in the SLPP is now growing tired of waiting.
As the 2028 elections draw closer, the SLPP must grapple with the reality that it is at a crossroads. Without significant changes, it risks losing the very people who once believed in its vision. And if it fails to meet this critical moment, it may find that Sierra Leone’s electorate is ready for a new direction—one that the SLPP can no longer offer.
