Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) National Secretary General Paran Tarawally has rejected remarks attributed to National Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa suggesting that only President Julius Maada Bio has the authority to determine the party’s next flagbearer.

Tarawally described the reported comments as Songa’s personal opinion, stressing that they do not represent the official position of the SLPP or President Bio.

“What Batilo said is his own opinion and does not represent the party. As Secretary General, all I know is that we have not taken that decision. He was very wrong to say so,” Tarawally said.

He further dismissed suggestions that President Bio had directed party officials to accept his decision on who should succeed him as the SLPP’s flagbearer.

“President Bio will never communicate such a message to anybody. Jimmy Batilo knew exactly what the President said,” Tarawally stated.

According to the Secretary General, President Bio has consistently maintained that the decision on the party’s next flagbearer should be made by the SLPP’s delegates.

“President Bio has told us time and again that it is the people who have to decide on the next flagbearer,” he said.

Tarawally also defended President Bio’s democratic credentials, both within the SLPP and at the national level, saying the President has demonstrated his commitment to democratic principles.

“President Bio has a democratic credential, both within the party and nationally. He has demonstrated this, and we all as Sierra Leoneans know this clearly,” Tarawally said.

He disclosed that the SLPP is expected to convene its delegates between March and April next year to make a decision on the party’s next flagbearer.

“Anytime between March and April next year, we will definitely convene the entire party delegates and decide on who takes over,” he said.

The comments come amid growing discussions within the SLPP over the process of selecting a successor to President Bio as the party prepares for its next presidential contest.