By Mohamed Kamara
First Lady Fatima Bio has issued a stern warning to members of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) vying to succeed President Julius Maada Bio in 2028. She called on all aspiring flagbearers to cease any form of premature campaigning until the official campaign period is declared, threatening immediate suspension for violators.
The First Lady made this announcement during the festive season, addressing concerns that some party members have been holding secret meetings in chiefdoms and districts to discuss their intentions for the presidency. She emphasized that such actions undermine party unity and disrupt the focus on governance and development.
Her ultimatum has garnered widespread support both locally and internationally. Ambrose Sheriff, a prominent figure from Luawa Chiefdom in the Kailahun District, praised the First Lady’s intervention. Sheriff revealed that secret campaigns in the Eastern region have been ongoing since early 2024, with senior party members pushing for an Eastern flagbearer to break the Southern region’s dominance in SLPP leadership. He noted that these campaigners are attempting to convince voters to boycott the 2028 elections or defect to other political parties if the East is not given a chance to lead.
Augustine Vandi, a supporter of President Bio’s leadership based in the United Kingdom, expressed similar concerns. He likened the SLPP’s internal struggles to those of the main opposition, the All People’s Congress (APC). Vandi criticized the premature campaigning, which he said has also spread to the diaspora, including the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Australia, and other major Western cities. He lamented the disregard for the rule of law and national constitution, which clearly define the timeline for political campaigns.
Vandi also called for a shift in focus from politics to economic empowerment. Drawing comparisons with entrepreneurial communities in Nigeria and Ghana, he urged Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora to invest in the private sector rather than depend on political inclusion as a means of wealth creation. He argued that overreliance on taxpayer-funded political positions does little to address Sierra Leone’s socio-economic challenges. Instead, he encouraged individuals to explore opportunities for partnerships and solo ventures to build sustainable economic growth.
Fatima Bio’s warning is seen as a call for discipline not only within the SLPP but across Sierra Leone’s 17 registered political parties. By addressing early campaigning and promoting adherence to party rules and national laws, the First Lady aims to foster a political culture centered on unity, accountability, and development.
As Sierra Leone approaches the 2028 elections, the First Lady’s strong stance serves as a reminder that leadership ambitions must not overshadow the collective responsibility to uphold the nation’s democratic principles and focus on progress for all citizens.
