A political controversy is deepening within the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) following allegations that Chairman Batilo Songa orchestrated what has been described as a “political coup d’état” aimed at undermining key figures within the party.

The allegations claim that Songa’s actions have contributed to growing divisions and tensions within the governing party.

An investigation by the publication reportedly found that Chairman Songa allegedly engineered a campaign involving claims that Musa Tarawally remained a member of the Citizens Democratic Party (CDP).

The publication said its findings were based on what it described as a “careful and prudent” examination of available evidence and political developments surrounding the matter.

The report further alleges that Songa paid the CDP Secretary-General to draft a letter claiming that Tarawally remained a member of the opposition party, despite reports that he resigned from the CDP in 2018.

The publication described the alleged document as a deliberate attempt to create what it considered a false political narrative, while also questioning the motives behind its circulation.

The allegations have sparked wider concerns about internal party politics, with the newspaper arguing that the SLPP risks repeating some of the divisions that have historically weakened political parties in Sierra Leone.

It cited the 2007 general elections and the major political split that followed the party’s 2005 division as examples of how internal disagreements can have serious consequences for a party’s electoral fortunes.

The publication called for restraint and responsible leadership within the SLPP, warning that continued internal disputes could deepen mistrust among party members and create further divisions.

However, the allegations against Chairman Batilo Songa remain claims made by the publication and have not been independently established. The individuals and institutions mentioned would need to respond to the allegations for the claims to be fully assessed.