“No Constitutional Limit on SLPP’s Time In Power”…Says President Bio

By Kelvin Jay

At the recent National Executive Council (NEC) gathering of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), President Julius Maada Bio criticized the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) and its tactics, asserting that:

“There’s nothing in the 1991 constitution that says a party can run for two terms in office”

He was responding to the APC’s claims—and public insinuations—that the SLPP is attempting to entrench itself in power beyond constitutional limits.

While the 1991 Constitution restricts the President to two five-year terms, it places no limit on how long a political party can hold power if it continues to win free and fair elections.

“The Constitution limits the President to two terms,” he said, “but it does not limit a party. As long as a party continues to win free and fair elections, it can remain in power. The term limit is for individuals, not political parties.”, he continued.
He also asserted that political succession should be determined by the will of the electorate and not by constitutional fiat limiting parties.

However, President Bio’s comments come amid ongoing public discussions around political longevity and constitutional governance in Sierra Leone.