By: Fayia Jr. Moseray
As the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) prepares for its flagbearer race ahead of the 2028 general elections, the party has highlighted a key constitutional requirement that could influence the outcome of the contest.
The National Public Relations Officer of the SLPP, Moses Sellu Mambu, addressed the issue of eligibility for various positions within the party, including the coveted “Flagbearer” position, during his appearance on Truth Morning Devotion on Monday, September 15, 2025.
Mambu clarified that the recently amended SLPP National Constitution has explicit requirements for members and aspiring candidates. He explained that, according to the party’s constitutional framework, there are different eligibility criteria for local, regional, and national positions. Specifically, Mambu pointed out that for someone to qualify to run for a national position, including flagbearer, they must have been a fully paid-up and active member for a continuous period of five years.
Mambu emphasized that the SLPP’s national constitution clearly outlines the criteria for members seeking various positions within the party. For example, the constitution requires that individuals interested in local positions, such as Ward Coordinators, must have been active members for at least one year. For regional positions, the requirement is two to three years, while national positions, including flagbearership, require a full five years of continuous membership.
“Our party’s national Constitution is clear about the eligibility criteria for individuals seeking different positions within the SLPP,” Mambu stated. “This includes being a fully registered and paid-up member for a certain period of time, as stipulated in the Constitution. For example, it requires one year for local positions, two to three years for regional positions, and five years for national positions, including the Flagbearership.”
He stressed that this rule remains in effect despite any ongoing reviews of the party’s constitution.
Mambu’s remarks have sparked widespread debate, both online and offline, particularly concerning the eligibility of Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella for the flagbearer position. Dr. Yumkella, who rejoined the SLPP after serving as the leader of the National Grand Coalition (NGC), is now considered a potential contender for the party’s flagbearership in the 2028 elections.
Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, who resigned from the SLPP in 2017 to form the NGC, contested the presidency in the 2018 elections under the NGC banner. He rejoined the SLPP in 2024, when President Julius Maada Bio appointed him as the Chairman of the Energy Governance Coordinating Group (ECGC), leading the government’s energy transformation efforts in Sierra Leone.
The question now is whether Dr. Yumkella’s potential candidacy for the SLPP flagbearership could be hindered by the party’s five-year membership rule. Given that he rejoined the SLPP in 2024, this requirement might pose a significant hurdle for him, as he has not been a member for the full five consecutive years stipulated by the constitution.
The SLPP Constitution, adopted in 2009 and amended in 2017, specifies that any member seeking to run for the flagbearer position must have been a fully registered and paid-up member of the party for at least five consecutive years immediately preceding the election. Unless the constitution is amended during a future National Delegates Conference, this clause remains in effect and could impact Dr. Yumkella’s eligibility.
Political analysts suggest that the five-year membership rule is designed to ensure loyalty, discipline, and continuity within the party. However, some critics argue that the rule could have negative effects, including internal party dynamics, exclusion of potential candidates, and broader political implications for party unity.
The enforcement of this rule could significantly affect the SLPP’s prospects in the 2028 elections, particularly in relation to its main opposition, the All People’s Congress (APC). It also signals the party’s commitment to internal democracy and rule-based governance.
As the debate continues, all eyes will be on how the SLPP navigates the balance between inclusivity and constitutional adherence, and how these decisions may influence both party unity and the national political landscape.