By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The National Secretary General of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Hon. Umarr Paran Tarawally, has stated that only seven individuals currently qualify to contest for the party’s flag bearer position ahead of the 2028 general elections, in accordance with the SLPP August 2020 Constitution.
Speaking on the matter, Hon. Umarr Paran Tarawally explained that eligibility under the party’s constitutional provisions is strictly guided by membership within the category of Distinguished Grand Chief Patron. According to him, only individuals who meet the constitutional criteria and have fulfilled all financial and tenure requirements within this category are eligible to contest.
He named the seven qualified individuals as:
- Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh
- Dr. Prince Alex Harding
- Umaru Napoleon Koroma
- Sulaiman Banja Tejan-Sie
- Jacob Jusu Saffa
- John Oponjo Benjamin
- Alhaji Momodu Koroma
Hon. Umarr Paran Tarawally emphasized that all seven have served within the category of Distinguished Grand Chief Patron for a minimum of five years and have fully paid their dues for five years and above as required under the party’s governing document.
Referring specifically to Article 2(e) of the SLPP Constitution (August 2020), the National Secretary General outlined the framework governing membership in the Distinguished Grand Chief Patron category.
Under the Constitution, eligibility for this status requires that an individual must have previously served in one of the following senior leadership positions within the party:
- Leader
- Deputy Leader
- Party National Chairman
- National Secretary General
- Presidential Candidate
- Vice Presidential Candidate
Additionally, Article 2(e) provides that, in exceptional circumstances, the National Executive Council (NEC) or Party Conference may confer the title of Distinguished Grand Chief Patron on deserving individuals and invite them into the membership category.
However, Hon. Umarr Paran Tarawally, clarified that such conferral is subject to a clearly defined process.
According to the constitutional provisions cited by the Secretary General:
- The National Executive must conduct due diligence and submit the names of individuals it deems fit for admission into the category of Distinguished Grand Chief Patron to the NEC or Party Conference for approval.
- If approved, the decision must be formally captured in the Resolutions of that NEC or Party Conference.
- Only after such approval can the individual commence payment of dues under that category.
He stressed that since the adoption of the 2020 Constitution, no NEC or Party Conference has conferred the title of Distinguished Grand Chief Patron on any additional individual under the exceptional circumstances clause.
“There is no Resolution to confirm such conferral since 2020,” he stated, underscoring that eligibility must be grounded in documented constitutional compliance rather than informal claims.
With general elections slated for 2028, the clarification by the National Secretary General is expected to shape internal party discussions and political alignments within the SLPP.
By limiting eligibility strictly to those who meet the constitutional requirements and whose status is properly documented in NEC or Party Conference resolutions, the party leadership appears to be reinforcing adherence to internal democratic processes and constitutional order.
Political observers note that early clarification of eligibility criteria may help prevent internal disputes and ensure transparency as the party gradually prepares for its next leadership transition.
With the ruling party positioning itself for the 2028 electoral cycle, Hon. Paran Tarawally’s statement signals a firm commitment to constitutional compliance and procedural integrity in determining who can legitimately contest for the SLPP’s highest internal political office.
