SLPP Strongman Urges President Bio to Withdraw Edmond Alpha’s ECSL Appointment
By Kelvin Jay
A senior member of the SLPP, Kwegor Amara, has called on President Julius Maada Bio to withdraw the appointment of Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, suggesting he be reassigned as an ambassador instead.
Amara, a former close aide to President Bio during the NPRC era, described the appointment as a “serious misstep” that could undermine public confidence in the country’s electoral process. According to him, naming Alpha to head the ECSL provides the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) with grounds to challenge the credibility of future elections, regardless of how transparent they may be.
He further claimed that the decision has not received broad support within the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party, warning that it could create long-term political consequences for the party after President Bio leaves office.
Amara argued that a more inclusive selection process—one that involves both the SLPP and APC nominating candidates—would have strengthened trust in the electoral body and avoided the current controversy.
He also appealed to First Lady Fatima Maada Bio to advise the President to reconsider the decision.
“Your Excellency, you are human and liable to make mistakes, and this appointment is one of them,” Amara stated, urging the President to reverse the move in the interest of national unity, peace, and democratic stability.
