By Africa 24 Analyst

Dr. John Rogers (PhD) former Southern Regional Generation Leader of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has stated that their party is once the beacon of democratic values and inclusiveness but it now faces a deepening crisis of leadership and integrity that threatens to undermine the party’s very foundation at the core.

Dr. Rogers said, at the center of this brewing storm is the appointment of David Moinina Sengeh as Chair of the Constitutional Review Committee.

According to Dr. Rogers the appointment do not only highlights the growing internal conflict within the party but also poses a direct threat to the SLPP’s democratic integrity.

He said as the party braces for impending legal battles, the need for strong, decisive leadership has never been more urgent.

He maintained that the President, as both the leader of the party and the head of state, must act swiftly and impartially to resolve the impasse.

He said it is time for him to step in and demand Sengeh’s resignation for the sake of transparency, accountability, and the preservation of the party’s democratic values.

He stated that David Moinina Sengeh’s appointment as Chair of the SLPP’s Constitutional Review Committee is raising serious alarm.

He said it does not only jeopardize the credibility of the committee but also the broader democratic process within the party.

He went on “this appointment introduces a direct conflict of interest that undermines the impartiality needed for such a pivotal task.” He said Sengeh had declared for SLPP’s 2028 flag bearer position, and now finds himself in a position where he will help determine the very rules that will govern that contest.

“This is unacceptable and a departure from the values of fairness and transparency that have long guided our party,” he said.

Dr Rogers said his appointment as Chair of the Constitutional Review Committee raises serious concerns about conflicts of interests.

He informed that in any credible democratic system goes with established principles that individuals who have vested interests in outcomes must recluse themselves to maintain the integrity of the process. Sengeh’s role in this crucial committee, given his ties to party leadership and his influential position within the government, compromises the credibility of the review process.

He said this situation mirrors what has historically led to chaos in governance: the substitution of peace for truth and justice.

“Without accountability, justice is often sacrificed, leading to a breakdown of order. If Sengeh remains in this critical position, the party risks undermining not only the constitutional review process but also the trust of its grassroots members and the broader Sierra Leonean public,” he said.

He said the appointment of Sengeh is symptomatic of a larger issue within the SLPP—the centralization of power.

He concern that decisions that should involve a broader section of the party’s membership are increasingly concentrated on the hands of few individuals.

“This top-down approach has bred dissatisfaction, division, and now legal challenges that threaten to destabilize the party. If the SLPP is to survive this moment of crisis, it must reform its decision-making processes,” he said.

He revealed that the party needs to decentralize its operations, empowering district committees to participate meaningfully in internal reviews and decisions matters.

He stated, a transparent, bottom-up approach would reflect the collective will of the party’s membership, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interests of all, not just a selected few.

Dr Rogers said, as it stands, the current system of governance within the SLPP is opaque and autocratic, directly contradicting the democratic principles it espouses. Without a significant shift toward inclusiveness and transparency, the party risks not only alienating its members but also risks losing its democratic legitimacy in the eyes of the Sierra Leonean people.

In this precarious moment, he said, the role of the President is paramount.

He said as both the leader of the nation and of the SLPP, he is uniquely positioned to restore order and uphold the party’s democratic principles. However, he went on “for this to happen, he must act as a neutral arbiter, free from the political entanglements that have fueled the current crisis.”

He said the President must ask Sengeh to resign from his role as Chair of the Constitutional Review Committee.

“This move would signal the President’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and fairness within the party. It would also set a powerful precedent, showing that no individual, regardless of their position or influence, is above the rules of democratic governance,” he buttressed.

He highlighted that this is not a matter of personal vendetta or political maneuvering; it is a question of principle.

By stepping aside, he said, Sengeh would allow for a more impartial review process, restoring confidence in the SLPP’s ability to conduct its affairs with integrity.

He opines that for the SLPP to regain its footing, it must decentralize its processes.

“A truly democratic party allows for the voices of its entire membership to be heard, not just those at the top. Each district should have its own committee tasked with reviewing and making decisions on party matters,” he stated.

He therefore said, these committees would then forward their findings to the regional and national levels, ensuring a more representative and transparent decision-making process.

He said, this decentralized approach would foster a sense of ownership among the party’s grassroots members and reduce the likelihood of future internal conflicts.

He said by giving power back to the districts, the SLPP can ensure that its decisions reflect the will of the people, not just the interests of a select few.

Dr Rogers said the SLPP stands at a critical juncture. The looming legal battles are not just a symptom of internal divisions but a reflection of deeper systemic issues within the party.

“If the SLPP is to emerge from this crisis stronger and more united, it must take bold action to restore its democratic integrity,” he said.

The President, he said as the party’s leader, must take the first step by asking David Moinina Sengeh to resign from his role as Chair of the Constitutional Review Committee.

“This is not only necessary to resolve the current crisis but also to set a standard for accountability and transparency moving forward,” he asserted.

The SLPP’s motto, he said One Country, One People, must be more than a slogan-it must be the guiding principle that shapes its actions and decisions.

“If the party leadership fails to act decisively now, the legal battles and internal strife will continue to escalate, further eroding the trust of its members and the people of Sierra Leone, ” he stated.

He said the time for passive leadership has passed, adding that the SLPP must act with integrity, transparency, and accountability to ensure its survival and continued relevance in Sierra Leone’s political landscape.