By Janet A. Sesay
Dr. Prince Harding, the outgoing Chairman of the Sierra Leone People’s Party has assured to work with the new Chairman, Jimmy Batilo Songa and his executive to ensure the party stays on right footing.
He made these statements on Saturday, 18th October 2025 during the handing over ceremony from the old executives to the newly elected one at their party’s headquarters at Wallace Johnson Street in Freetown.
The outgoing Chairman, Dr. Prince Alex Harding was visibly emotional when he delivered his farewell speech.
“This is a fantastic day,” he said, reflecting on his long standing relationship with the SLPP which he joined in his late 20s.
He pledged his continued support to the party and its new leadership and also advised Chairman Batillo to work with everyone and put the interest of the party first.
He said he decided to vote for Batillo to become Chairman of the party because of his belief that he will continue to work from where he stopped and that he will even do a better job for the party.
The symbolic event marked the end of Dr. Harding’s two-term tenure, during which he led the SLPP through four major election victories.
The ceremony drew high-profile party faithful including, Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, veteran politician Dr. Sama Banya, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, party executives and a host of grassroots supporters.
During the ceremony, Dr. Harding formally handed over a number of key party documents, including a staff register, financial statements and documents of proof of ownership of the party of a-ten acre land.
Taking the mantle, Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa expressed deep gratitude for the trust placed in him, emphasizing his commitment to party unity, functionality, and victory in future elections.
“There is a new Sheriff in town,” he declared. Chairman Batilo said he will make all party structures functional and he will align the SLPP even closer to governance.
“We are going to keep the APC in permanent opposition,” he declared.
Chairman Batilo announced his intention to resign from his current government role to dedicate himself fully to party leadership. “We must bring the party closer to the people. Our mission is to provide not just for our members, but for the nation,” he maintained.
He acknowledged the work of the party elders, including Dr. Sama Banya, and praised Dr. Harding for his dedication and mentorship.
A symbolic “First Lady” handover also took place during the event. Mrs. Ann Marie Harding, wife of Chairman Prince Harding, passed her role to Mrs. Wuyata Songa, wife of the new Chairman.
Madam Harding thanked party women for their unwavering support and encouraged her successor to prioritize collaboration with female members.
“I believe Jimmy is the right person to lead this party now,” she asserted and encouraged Mrs. Songa to always work with the women, adding that they are the soul of the party’s machinery.
Representatives from the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) and the All Political Parties Association (APPA) applauded the peaceful transition and assured to work with the new executive, emphasizing the importance of unity, discipline, and national cohesion.
The presence of the two political outfits was to assure the SLPP of their commitment to peaceful political competition and to elicit their opposition to violence in politics.
Grassroots Chairman Marrah hailed the occasion as “historic,” reinforcing the SLPP’s significance in Sierra Leone’s political landscape.
He urged the new leadership to remain engaged with the grassroots, describing them as the bedrock of the party.
Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, also chair of the SLPP Constitutional Review Committee, noted the day’s importance, citing progress made under the National Unity Agreement. He praised both Harding and Songa and called on the party to continue aligning with the national development plan.
He said the ceremony of SLPP transitions into a new era under Jimmy Batilo Songa is not only marked as leadership change but a renewed commitment to party unity, national service, and political progress.
The Secretary General of the party, Paran Tarawalie paid tribute to Dr. Harding’s dedication and accomplishments towards the party, adding that Dr. Harding played a pivotal role in strengthening the party’s Secretariat and in the preparation of the next generation of leadership of the party.
Paran Tarawalie said Dr. Harding trained quality groups of people who are now trusted to lead the party forward.