By: Hope Times News Desk
In a ceremony that underscored both political discipline and party cohesion, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio officially inaugurated the new National Executive Council (NEC) of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) on Wednesday, 17th December, 2025. The event, attended by senior party officials, grassroots members, and dignitaries, set the tone for what party leadership describes as a “decisive march” toward the 2028 general elections.
Opening the event, President Bio emphasized that the evening’s theme, “The SLPP: Preparing for the Sierra Leone We Are Becoming,” was not merely symbolic but a reflection of the party’s commitment to continuity, national progress, and disciplined leadership. The President framed the SLPP as more than a political party, calling it a guiding force for the nation’s moral and developmental compass.
“Our only mission is clear: the SLPP must remain the party of national progress,” President Bio declared. “By 2028, we will present the nation with a confident, clear, and unstoppable agenda built on continuity, stability, and discipline.”
A highlight of the ceremony was the formal recognition of Jimmy Batilo Songa as the party’s new National Chairman. President Bio lauded Batilo Songa as a “battle-tested leader” whose loyalty, discipline, and dedication to the SLPP have been consistently proven over the years.
“Chairman Batilo has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the party and its ideals,” President Bio said. “At a time when unity and focus are essential, these qualities are invaluable.”
The President further clarified the division of responsibilities within the party’s leadership structure, explaining that while the National Chairman manages and coordinates the party’s day-to-day activities, he, as the party leader and President of the Republic, provides political direction. Respecting this structure, he stressed, is critical to maintaining party stability.
“The strength of the SLPP is directly linked to the firmness of its chairman,” President Bio stated. “When the chairman stands strong, the party remains steady. When the party is steady, it becomes unstoppable.”
Throughout his address, President Bio repeatedly called for discipline, unity, and respect for democratic processes within the party. He warned that internal confusion and divisions could weaken the SLPP’s electoral prospects, reiterating that the party thrives when it operates with a singular, cohesive agenda.
“Our greatest victories have never come from noise,” he said. “They have come from unity, discipline, and shared purpose. Internal conflict undermines everything we have worked to achieve.”
In closing, the President urged party members to recommit to constructive engagement, respect for differing opinions, and unwavering unity. He framed these principles as the cornerstone for a successful 2028 election campaign and a strong, principled SLPP moving forward.
“The SLPP is at its strongest when it moves as one,” he concluded. “Guided by principles rather than provocations, and by order rather than impulse, we will remain unstoppable.”
The ceremony concluded with applause from attendees, signaling broad support for the newly appointed leadership and President Bio’s vision of a disciplined and unified SLPP. As Sierra Leone looks toward 2028, the party appears poised to rally behind its leadership with renewed focus and cohesion.