By Ragan M. Conteh

“After I would have become the Chairman of the Sierra Leone Peoples party (SLPP) in the next convention, I will make sure that I put the All People’s Congress (APC) party in permanent opposition.”

Jimmy Batillo Songa, the intending candidate for the chairmanship of the ruling SLPP made the submissions when addressing pressmen in Parliament on Wednesday 29th January, 2025.

According to Batillo Songa, his vision is to ensure that he bring onboard all northwesterners in the SLPP as well as ensuring that the opposition remains as opposition.

As part of his efforts to win the 2028 in landslide, Songa said he will ensure that he traverse the entire nation especially in the opposition stronghold of Makeni, Port Loko and Tonkolili districts to sell the party as well as create awareness to northerners that the SLPP was formed in that region and the people of the north should accept and own it.

He said the SLPP membership nationwide are now patiently waiting for his declaration because the supporters know that he is the only bridge between the government and the people.

Batillo also pledged to address the underline issues within the communities.

Batillo Songa stated that the SLPP is not just a political party; it is a strong sacred institution that must be embraced, and nurtured with all the love and skills that each and every one of us has got in us.

The politician said the SLPP is a living breathing body and anyone aspiring for any leadership position within the party must see it as a responsibility to work hard enough to keep the party going and growing.

“We have to do everything within our powers to justify the many sacrifices made, and still being made, by so many of our compatriots to bring the party to its present status,” he said.

Songa stated that he has a unique plan to bring the party to the people and the people to the party using practical strategies that would further endear the party to the nation.

He furthered that he also have plan to make all SLPP party organs responsive to the needs of communities and to strengthen responsibility and increase awareness by installing sound administrative structures at all levels.

Songa informed that his overall aim is to alleviate the sufferings of his people and to position the party not only to win the next elections but many more elections after that.

He revealed that he firmly and fervently believes in the values it represents for the unity and progress of the country.

Without any doubt, he said, the SLPP is the only real vehicle for taking the country where all Sierra Leoneans want it to go and there can be no greater privilege than to be given the chance to map out that journey in a clear, logical and doable way.

It could be recalled that, Batillo Songa has served his party twice as Chairman whilst he was in the United Kingdom.

The UK has historically played a leading role in bringing together and sustaining the party, especially during the repugnant one-party autocracy and at all times when they were in official opposition.

It is unfortunate that the voices of division within their party have recently sought to create a wedge between the diaspora membership and the home-based members.

Batillo Songa is being loved by grassroots supporters of the SLPP party and they believed that his leadership will transform their party and will be of uniting force.

Mr. Songa boasted that they are record setters and trailblazers.

“I will make sure that I leave no corner in the country untouched by my active presence. The SLPP is not a regional party or a tribal toy. It is a national institution with a strong umbrella reach. We are here to expand that umbrella and call many more to come and pitch with us in unity and progress” he said.