Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally has accused Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) National Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa of lying about his party membership, as he fires back with what he says are facts exposing the Chairman’s claims that he holds dual membership of the SLPP and Citizens Democratic Party (CDP).

Tarawally’s response follows a September 17, 2026 letter from Chairman Songa directing him to stop presenting himself as an SLPP member or flagbearer aspirant after the Citizens Democratic Party (CDP) reportedly confirmed that he remains a member of the party.

In a strongly worded letter dated September 18, Tarawally rejected the allegation of dual-party membership and maintained that he has not been a member of the CDP since 2018.

He accused the SLPP Chairman of attempting to damage his reputation within the party and internationally, describing the publication of the membership allegation as an act of “cyber bullying.”

Tarawally said he publicly declared his return to the SLPP during the 2018 presidential runoff and subsequently became a registered and fully paid-up member of the governing party.

He further claimed that he formally resigned from the CDP in 2018 and has not paid membership dues, attended meetings, participated in activities or made financial contributions to the party since then.

According to Tarawally, his continued association with the SLPP is demonstrated by his participation in the party’s activities, including the 2025 National Delegates Convention, where he said he served as a credentialed delegate and voted.

He also maintained that he is a Grand Chief Patron of the SLPP, a lifetime former Member of Parliament delegate and a member whose party dues have been paid up to 2028.

Tarawally Challenges Songa’s Authority

A major part of Tarawally’s response focuses on the authority of the SLPP National Chairman to take action against his membership.

Tarawally cited Article 6(3a) of the SLPP Constitution and argued that the provision makes the National Chairman the administrative head of the party but does not give him unilateral disciplinary or judicial powers to terminate a member’s status.

He argued that any disciplinary action against him should follow the party’s established procedures, including consideration by the relevant disciplinary structures and the National Executive Council (NEC)

Tarawally claimed that no disciplinary committee was constituted, that he was not given an opportunity to respond to the allegations and that the NEC was not consulted before the Chairman issued his directive.

He therefore described the action as “undemocratic” and “out of procedure.”

‘Your Own Logic Destroys Your Argument’

Tarawally also challenged the SLPP Chairman over his participation in the party’s 2025 National Delegates Conference.

He pointed out that he was a credentialed delegate at the convention and participated in the vote that elected Songa as National Chairman.

Tarawally argued that if Songa now considers him a non-member of the SLPP, questions would arise over the validity of his participation as a delegate at the convention.

“If I am a ‘non-member’ as you now claim, then my vote in 2025 was illegal,” Tarawally stated, arguing that this would raise questions about the convention that elected Songa and other party executives.

Tarawally Threatens Legal Action

The SLPP flagbearer aspirant further disclosed that he has instructed his legal team to explore legal remedies over what he described as an attempt to damage his reputation.

He said the allegations published on social media were intended to humiliate him, undermine his political standing and damage his reputation locally and internationally.

Tarawally said his lawyers are considering possible action under Sierra Leone’s cybercrime and defamation laws, among other available remedies.

The dispute comes after the SLPP formally instructed Tarawally to stop using the party’s logo, presenting himself as an SLPP member or holding himself out as an aspirant for the party’s flagbearership, citing the CDP’s September 3 confirmation of his membership.

Tarawally has now rejected that position and maintained that his SLPP membership is valid, accusing the party’s National Chairman of relying on an inaccurate account of his political affiliation.