A new political season has quietly dawned within the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). On Saturday, Sir Jimmy Batilo Songa officially assumed office as National Chairman of the ruling party, succeeding Dr. Prince Alex Harding a veteran strategist who, for years, served as both guardian and gatekeeper of the SLPP’s internal machinery.
The ceremony, held at the party’s headquarters on 15 Wallace Johnson Street in Freetown, was more than a mere handover it was a political statement. It symbolized renewal, a generational shift, and perhaps the beginning of the SLPP’s long game toward 2028.
Dr. Harding’s tenure was defined by stability and strategy. Under his leadership, the SLPP weathered internal storms, reclaimed State House in 2018, and defended its incumbency in 2023 amid a complex electoral climate.
Now, as Sir Jimmy Batilo Songa takes the helm, the party stands at a crossroads navigating the twin challenges of governance fatigue and political renewal.
A political scientist by training and a grassroots mobilizer by instinct, Sir Jimmy inherits a party that must reconcile its development promises with public expectations, while also preparing to defend its record before an increasingly restless electorate.
In his acceptance speech, Sir Jimmy struck a tone that was both humble and strategic.
“I have resigned my government post to focus completely on the work ahead. My priorities will be to strengthen our party institutions, unite members around a shared programme, and set a clear course for effective, people-centred leadership. I invite every member and supporter to join me in this national effort,” Songa stated.
“My leadership will remain people-focused, united, and victory-driven,” he declared, pledging to consolidate the gains of his predecessors while sustaining the SLPP’s governance and development agenda.
His words resonated deeply with party loyalists but also raised the stakes because consolidation in politics often means balancing loyalty with reform, and unity with accountability.
