By Lamin Bangura
Lawyer and Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) member, Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, has declared his intention to contest for the party’s flagbearership when the time comes, asserting that he will be constitutionally qualified despite currently holding a rank, one step below the required status. In an interview with AYV Television, Abdulai addressed questions about his eligibility, drawing attention to constitutional provisions that govern who can seek the party’s highest office.
Responding to queries on whether he meets the criteria, Abdulai confirmed that he is a Grand Chief Patron, not a Distinguished Grand Chief Patron, but emphasised that the constitution allows members to apply for admission into the Distinguished category. “The application will go in and I will be qualified because I have met all the requirements,” he said, noting that he obtained his SLPP membership card in 2018 and has since satisfied the necessary thresholds. A legal practitioner of eighteen years, Abdulai stressed his understanding of the constitution and expressed confidence that the pathway to qualification remains open.
While the party has yet to open the official declaration process, Abdulai indicated that conversations around his application for Distinguished Grand Chief Patron status are imminent, driven by his presidential ambition. In the meantime, he underscored the importance of delivering on President Julius Maada Bio’s agenda, particularly in areas affecting young people. Abdulai pledged to focus on the rehabilitation of artificial turfs, the promotion of sports as a vehicle for job creation, and the launch of a nationwide anti-kush campaign aimed at curbing substance abuse among the youth. Once the President’s priorities are advanced, he signaled, the battle for SLPP leadership will firmly begin.