The National Chairman of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Batilo Songa, has come under intense criticism from within his own party following a political statement widely described as unprofessional and irresponsible.
In interviews with a cross-section of senior party elders who requested anonymity, concerns were raised that the Chairman’s remarks were out of step with the SLPP’s core doctrines and policy direction. The elders argued that the statement risks undermining party unity and could ultimately weaken the party ahead of the 2028 general elections.
According to them, Chairman Songa’s assertion that he is “fearless” in making political statements reflects not strength, but a lack of the inclusive leadership expected of someone in his position. “No one is questioning his right to speak,” one elder noted, “but what the majority of party members want is leadership that unites the SLPP under one umbrella.”
The elders further accused the chairman of subtly laying the groundwork for the political ambitions of a particular flagbearer aspirant, whom they described as relatively new to the party. They claimed that his recent comments appear calculated to favor this aspirant and suggest a deeper allegiance to what they termed a “political godfather” seeking to position himself for the SLPP flagbearer race ahead of the 2028 elections.
They warned that such actions, if left unchecked, could deepen internal divisions within the party at a time when cohesion and discipline are critical to maintaining power.
