Mr Justice Calls for Immediate Resignation of Batilo Songa

In a dramatic and unprecedented move, a prominent member of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), widely known as Mr. Justice, has officially withdrawn his support from the Party’s National Chairman, Batilo Songa.

This decision follows Songa’s recent controversial declarations that President Julius Maada Bio “owns the SLPP,” accompanied by a disparaging remark that those who disagree should go and “hit their heads on the cotton tree.”

In a sensational statement released to the press, Mr. Justice did not mince words, describing Songa’s rhetoric as not only unfortunate, but fundamentally destructive.

He emphatically called for the immediate resignation of Chairman Songa, citing his behavior as a direct threat to the party’s unity and its prospects in the 2028 elections.

“Chairman Songa’s assertion that the President ‘owns’ the SLPP is a dangerous mischaracterization of our party’s foundational principles. The SLPP is a collective of freedom fighters, not a personal fiefdom. His comments are not just immature; they represent a calculated disdain for the party’s rank and file,” Mr. Justice stated.

Further intensifying the pressure, Mr. Justice argued that Songa’s conduct constitutes a severe breach of the SLPP Constitution, which serves as the supreme guiding document of the party.

Drawing on the tenets of the SLPP Constitution—which operates under the principles of democratic centralism and collective leadership—Mr. Justice highlighted several specific areas of violation:

Violation of Collective Leadership and Democratic Principles:

The SLPP Constitution enshrines the principle that power is vested in the organs of the party, not in the person of the President or any single leader.

The National Chairman is tasked with being the custodian of the party’s integrity, not a mouthpiece for individual personality cults.

By declaring that the President “owns” the party, Chairman Songa undermines the collective ownership of the party by its members, a foundational pillar that ensures democratic governance within the party structure.

This suggests an executive dominance that is inconsistent with the constitutionally mandated separation of powers within the SLPP.

Breach of Oath of Office and Duty of Care:

The SLPP Constitution explicitly mandates that all executives must act in the best interest of the party and refrain from actions likely to bring the party into disrepute or cause disaffection among its members.

Mr. Justice contends that Songa’s inflammatory rhetoric and blatant disregard for dissenting voices constitute a fundamental breach of his fiduciary duty.

His threat—or rather, his insult toward those who disagree—represents a violation of the provision that requires the National Chairman to promote unity and reconciliation among all members.

Failure to Uphold Party Supremacy:

The Constitution clearly establishes that party decisions are made through established organs such as the National Executive Council.

Songa’s unilateral attempt to define the hierarchy of the party (placing the President above the collective will) and his desire to silence opposition through public ridicule, violates the constitutional spirit of deliberation and consensus-building.

His actions are seen as a calculated effort to bypass the constitutional checks and balances that prevent the SLPP from descending into authoritarianism.

Mr. Justice warned that if Batilo Songa remains in office, the consequences will be catastrophic for the SLPP.

“The Chairman has proven beyond all reasonable doubt that he lacks the tenacity, maturity, and intellectual capacity to chair the SLPP to the 2028 elections.

“His current trajectory is not one of inclusivity; it is a path of arrogance and division. If he continues to serve, there is a very high tendency that he will collapse the party from within and undermine its unity even before the 2028 elections.”

He concluded by calling on the National Executive Council (NEC) and the Rank and File of the party to act swiftly.

“We cannot afford to wait. The SLPP is bigger than any individual. We must defend our constitution and the legacy of our founding fathers. Chairman Songa must resign immediately before he drags our great party into an abyss of irrelevance and disunity.”

THE JUSTICE TH ONLINE!