𝐒𝐋𝐏𝐏: 𝐀 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐰 & 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫

The former National Secretary General of the SLPP (Sierra Leone’s Peoples Party), Sulaiman Banja Tejan-Sie Esq. has reminded party members and supporters of the criteria for qualification to contest for the post of flag bearer of the party ahead of crucial elections in 2028. Lawyer Tejan-Sie eloquently quoted Article 16C of the Party’s current Constitution dated August 2020. This is the party’s constitution that is recognized by the PPRC (Political Parties Regulatory Commission).

Recently, an attempt was made to review the party’s August 2020 Constitution. A committee was appointed, headed by the Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, to review the party’s current Constitution.

The appointment of Dr. David Sengeh to Chair the Constitutional Review Committee provoked widespread outrage and condemnation from some key stakeholders of the party. They argued that Dr David Sengeh was (is) a potential flag bearer aspirant. Therefore, he should not head the Constitutional Review Committee.

A decision was taken at a NEC meeting to postpone the review until the review of the country’s 1991 Constitution was concluded. The process was put on hold by the party to avoid distraction.

ARTICLE 16C

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

1. The Leader of the Party shall be elected by the Conference at a place and time to be stipulated by the NEC or the Party Conference as the case maybe;

2. A Party member elected as Leader shall be nominated as Presidential Candidate of the Party in accordance with the provisions of the National Constitution, this Constitution and the Election Rules and Regulations as prescribed under this Constitution;

3. Where the Leader is not a sitting president at the time, all prospective candidates for the Leadership of the Party shall apply to the National Executive Council through the National Secretary General with copies to the National Chairman and the Regional Chairman of his or her Region not later than

twenty-four (24) months prior to the end of the Presidential Term He or She was initially elected for.

4. A Leader of the Party nominated as Presidential Candidate shall designate and present his or her Vice Presidential Nominee at a specially summoned meeting of the NEC.

5. The running mate for the Presidential elections shall be the Deputy Leader of the Party and shall resign that position One (1) Year prior to the end of the term of the Presidency that he was initially elected for if he or she wants to vie for the position of flag bearer. Upon such resignation, the position shall remain

vacant until the next flag bearer election wherein a deputy shall be elected.

6. Any such person designated by the Presidential Candidate to be Running-Mate must be qualified under 16C (a) (b) (c) (d) & (e) below.

7. A National Officer of the Party with the exception of the National Leader shall not be eligible to be elected as a Presidential candidate or Running Mate whilst holding office as National Officer.

8. No person shall be nominated as a Party candidate for the post of Presidential Nominee unless:

a) He or she is a Citizen of Sierra Leone.

b) He or she is a member of the Party in the category of Distinguish Grand Chief Patron for at least five years.

c) He or she is not a member of any political party or organization whose aims and objectives are in opposition to the Party.

d) He or she agrees to accept and conform to the Constitution, Principles, Policies, Programmes, Rules and Regulations of the Party and shall sign a declaration to that effect;

e) He or she is qualified to run as President under the Constitution of Sierra Leone.

Way Forward

In his online TV interview, Lawyer Tejan-Sie argued that based on the current criteria for eligibility to run for the post of flag bearer and even for the appointment of a running mate, only a handful of the current known aspirants will qualify.

An attempt to alter the clause that deals with membership of the Distinguished Grand Chief Patron category was rejected by the former National Chairman of the party, Dr. Prince Alex Harding.

Some senior members of the party wanted it to be reduced to the category of Grand Chief Patron to allow some aspirants to qualify. This suggestion was also rejected.

The question now is: Will the SLPP quickly review their August 2020 Constitution to pave the way for some heavy hitters in the party to qualify to contest for the post of flag bearer?

Many people now look forward to the Leader of the party, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, to provide the required leadership and direction for the party ahead of crucial elections slated for 2028.

May common sense prevail!