State House in Sierra Leone has sacked nine senior politicians of Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).

The top-ranking politicians had held prominent positions under President Dr. Julius Maada Bio-led administration in his first round in office.

But having won June 24 elections to run a second term in office, the president may deem it fit to probably bring in new guys to advise him on political and development matters of the State. SLPP’s veteran and experienced politician, John Oponjo Benjamin, has been relieved of his duty as President Bio Senior Adviser.

He had served Bio under the then NPRC (The National Provisional Ruling Council) as Secretary of State and had served former President Ahmad Kabba as Finance Minister.

Mr. Benjamin had also served as SLPP Kailahun District Council Chairman. In his later years, he was chairman of the SLPP party.

Benjamin became a stiff opponent of Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio for SLPP presidential flag post starting from 2010 ahead of 2012 Sierra Leone’s general elections.

But he never got the commanding support needed in the green house to wrestle down the retired soldier.

And his spirit dissipated while Bio’s fame soared as the fiercest opposition politician who unseated APC from power in 2018 general elections.

On the latest development, Mr. Benjamin is among the list of other key figures that have been terminated by the Office of the President.

In a letter on July 5, 2023, which was written to Office of Accountant-General, the following persons should get their benefits upon their termination.

Dr. Kona Cecilia, special Adviser to His Excellency the President; Mr. Raymond De Souza-George, Senior Presidential Adviser & Ambassador at-large for Heritage & Culture; Amb.Dr. Umru Bundu Wurie, Special Adviser to His Excellency the President; Amb.Dr Brima Patrick Kapuwa, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs; Mr. John Benjamin, Senior Presidential Adviser to His Excellency the Presidnet; Dr. Patrick Kagbeni Muana, Senior Presidential Adviser & Head of Strategic Communications; Dr.John E. Tambi, Chairman, Office of Presidential Infrastructure Initiative; Maj.Gen. (Rtd.) Mohamed M. Keita, Presidential Adviser on National Security and Mr. Augustine Boss Fallay, Presidential Adviser.  Since President Julius Maada Bio assumed office on the day he was declared the re-elected President on June 27, he is yet to announce his new cabinet which is expected not too far from now. And lot of Bio’s ministers in his first five years in office may not secure a re-appointment. This is because a new crop of politicians are expected to serve him under a new agreement with a coalition of opposition parties called, Progressive Alliance, which has helped the president re-elect , Mr. Bio, to regain a seat for a second term.