By Edward Dictionary Caulker
A Producer’s Reflection
As I sat behind the console in SLIK TV’s buzzing production room last zSunday, monitoring the lively exchange between Melvin Mansaray and SLPP National Publicity aspirant Munir Lansana on The Brutally Frank Show, my mind drifted beyond the immediate headlines. Beneath the surface of their arguments lay a deeper, more pressing question: How will the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) choose its next presidential candidate for the 2028 elections?
Though the ruling SLPP presently projects a façade of unity and focus on governance, whispers and backroom conversations suggest a growing undercurrent of internal strategizing. With President Julius Maada Bio serving his second and final constitutional term, the jockeying for succession has begun—subtly for now, but undeniably and inevitably.
At the heart of the conversation are three compelling criteria that may shape the selection of the 2028 flag bearer: legacy, loyalty, and succession. Each carries its own philosophy, implications, and factional interests within the SLPP.
1. Legacy: Rewarding the Party’s Political Elders
In a party rich in history and shaped by post-independence political evolution, many argue that experience must take precedence. This school of thought believes the SLPP’s next standard bearer should be someone who has long carried the party’s banner through both electoral victories and trying times.
These are individuals who have earned their stripes: former cabinet ministers, long-standing party executives, and those who helped build the party’s nationwide grassroots networks. For them, legacy is more than symbolism it’s a matter of honouring sacrifices and ensuring that institutional knowledge is not discarded in pursuit of novelty.
But this path is not without risks. Critics of the “legacy-first” approach argue that it could alienate younger voters and perpetuate the status quo at a time when the electorate is calling for innovation and transformation.
2. Loyalty: Protecting the Inner Circle
Another camp within the SLPP is pushing for a candidate whose loyalty to President Bio and his administration has been unwavering. These are the trusted allies—the gatekeepers and defenders of party ideology during both elections and governance crises.
To many in this group, loyalty is seen as continuity: a way to protect the Bio administration’s reforms and maintain internal harmony. A loyalist candidate may be viewed as less disruptive and more committed to consolidating gains rather than charting a new course.
Yet such a choice may invite accusations of cronyism or political recycling. While loyalty is valued, it does not always equate to electability or innovation. A candidate too closely aligned with the current administration may struggle to inspire broader national confidence, especially if the electorate is seeking change.
3. Succession: Embracing Youth and New Ideas
With over 70% of Sierra Leone’s population under 35, calls for a generational shift within political parties are growing louder. Advocates of the “succession” approach believe the SLPP must signal renewal and progress by choosing a younger, dynamic, and forward-thinking candidate.
Succession here does not imply disrespect to the old guard, but rather acknowledges that politics must adapt to the realities of a changing society one shaped by digital activism, global economic shifts, and evolving social values. A youthful flag bearer could potentially energize the base, appeal to first-time voters, and recast the SLPP as a party of the future.
Nonetheless, the path of succession is a risky gamble. Emerging leaders often lack the nationwide structures or political capital of their older counterparts. A younger candidate may also struggle to unite the various factions within the party.
The SLPP Constitution and the Realities of Power
The SLPP Constitution (2020) outlines a seemingly democratic process: the flag bearer must be elected at the National Delegates Conference by representatives from across the country. Eligibility includes long-standing party membership, national appeal, and integrity.
But in practice, this democratic process is rarely free from behind-the-scenes influence. Presidential endorsement, regional alliances, and strategic lobbying often tilt the scale. The outcome is shaped as much by grassroots mobilization as it is by elite negotiation.
The reality is that power in the SLPP—like in most political parties—is not handed over casually. It is contested, maneuvered for, and ultimately secured through a combination of institutional support and political savvy.
Looking Ahead to 2028
Though 2028 may seem distant, the seeds of succession are already being sown. Names are being whispered in corridors. Alliances are quietly forming. What’s at stake is more than a party’s nomination it’s the political soul and future direction of the SLPP in a post-Bio era.
Will the party lean toward tradition and reward those with enduring legacies? Will it double down on continuity by endorsing loyalists from within the president’s inner circle? Or will it take a bold step into the future by ushering in a new generation of leadership?
Whatever path the SLPP chooses, the decision will not only impact internal party dynamics it will also signal to the nation what kind of leadership Sierra Leone can expect in the years to come.
As the countdown to 2028 begins, one thing is clear: the race for the green banner is on.
