“We should not use violence as a form of political expression” were the exact words of President Julius Maada Bio when he was interviewed on Star radio FM 103.5 as the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) presidential aspirant for the 2012 Sierra Leone’s general elections.

The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) is recently known as a violent political party from all indications. The country’s oldest political party used to be very peaceful during elections period. But under the leadership of Retired Brigadier Maada Bio, SLPP has proven to be very violent as lot the party’s internal activities are rife with violence.

The SLPP was nicknamed ‘educated’ party, meaning it used to have many educated elites than any other political party in the history of Sierra Leone’s politics. The SLPP style of ‘bookish’ governance earned its credibility among average Sierra Leoneans. It hardly resorts to violent demonstration within its membership and outside national politics.

The educated folks had been maintaining peace and tranquility over the years in the party. The court was regularly SLPP’s last resort whenever there are ‘deep rifts’ and stalemates. But a split in the party in 2018 tore the party apart into pieces of acrimony. Confusions and predicaments set in as thugs within the party burst anger into uncontrollable flames. They molested and threw objects at aspirants in other team. Bio’s supporters could be seen causing havoc and uproar against opponents of President Bio.

The toxic situation at SLPP’s headquarters in Freetown drove away senior and old politicians who formed the National Grand Coalition (NGC). Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella (KKY) and John Oponjo Benjamin were given a hot chase-out. Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella and his mother were allegedly beaten by thugs align to Bio.

The steam of radicalism boiled over to the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party strongholds. When SLPP won the 2018 Presidential election, its men attacked and burned to ground members of opposition houses. At SLPP custodian town, Bo, APC members were beaten while others fled similar conflicts from Kono, East of Sierra Leone.

The animosity and radicalism is seen in SLPP ‘Paopa’ style of governance in its five years. There have been countless of attacks linked to the SLPP thugs at its party’s headquarters at Wallace Johnson Street in Freetown.

In 2021, Belgium seller’s business centre was set ablaze by SLPP alleged thugs who were holding sharp machete in broad day light.

The spiral of violence also continues as killings happened in both Tonko-Limba and Kabala in Koinadugu By-elections and councillorship elections.

The ruling government, SLPP was also accused of causing the gravest havoc during the 2018 polls. As it is now known to be a violent party than an educated one. It was alleged that a senior member of SLPP went on a killing spree during the August 10 civil protest. Many people got killed by police, after the August 10 civil protest in which civilians conducted a peaceful match demanding a cut down on the fuel price and adjustment of cost of living.

As elections draw closer, talks of conflict are common among Sierra Leoneans. Signs of more killings and violence on innocent citizens ring bells. If President Bio allowed the police or his supporters to kill more people, it will ruin his personality in the global community as a dictator than a democrat. He is globally recognized now as a committed leader to promote education. He is serving a prominent position in the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

He needs to secure the lives of people as he wields economic power to control his party supporters and the army.

If he wants ‘fame’ and recognition in the international community, he must accept defeat and congratulate the winner if he loses the 2023 Presidential election.

If Mr. Bio fails to do so, he could have succeeded to bring more flame on innocent Sierra Leoneans.