By Sulaiman Jalloh
Jimmy Batilo Songa, a prominent figure in Sierra Leone’s political landscape, has been elected Chairman of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) during the party’s 14th National Delegates Conference. The two-day event was held at the Bintumani International Conference Center in Freetown from July 30 to 31, 2025.
In his acceptance speech, Chairman-elect Songa expressed deep gratitude to God and paid tribute to President Julius Maada Bio, whom he hailed as a visionary leader committed to people-centered development and national reform. Songa pledged unwavering loyalty to President Bio and affirmed his dedication to advancing the administration’s flagship agenda, the Big Five Game Changers.
Songa also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, Dr. Prince Alex Harding, commending his leadership and vowing to build on the strong foundation laid before him. He emphasized the need for unity and reconciliation within the party, urging all members, whether elected or not, to come together under a shared vision.
Before the results were officially announced, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio addressed the conference, thanking delegates for their peaceful and transparent participation. He praised the well-organized nature of the event and reaffirmed his commitment to democratic values.
Unveiling his leadership vision, Chairman Songa introduced what he called the Batilo Blueprint a transformative roadmap aimed at digitally modernizing the party, strengthening grassroots mobilization, promoting youth and women’s inclusion, and enhancing SLPP visibility across the nation and in the diaspora.
Looking ahead to the 2028 general elections, Songa committed to starting serious groundwork immediately, he pledged to align the SLPP’s strategic direction with the 2023 National Development Plan, signaling readiness for continued governance. Addressing the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), he confidently stated that a third SLPP term is not just possible, but an “imminent reality one grounded in performance and public trust.
As part of his early outreach, Songa announced a nationwide and diaspora Thank You Tour to express appreciation, deepen engagement, mobilize support, and shape the party’s future trajectory. Reaffirming SLPP’s core principles, he concluded with a resonant message
Songa’s election marks the beginning of a new era for the SLPP, one focused on unity, innovation, and the continued transformation of Sierra Leone under the party’s leadership.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday,4st August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
