By Reporter D.S
ROMFORD, UK — The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) UK and Ireland Region on Saturday, 10th October 2026, inaugurated its new executive in a colourful ceremony marked by pomp, unity and a strong political message ahead of the 2028 elections.
The sold-out event, held at the City Pavilion in Romford, brought together senior party officials, members and supporters from across the United Kingdom and Ireland for the formal induction of the new leadership headed by Chairman Alhajie Mohamed Jalloh.
Beneath the music and pageantry was a clear message: peace, unity, inclusion, service and grassroots mobilisation towards 2028.
The ceremony was officiated by Deputy National Chairman, Robert Kondema Kargbo and National Secretary General, Hon. Paran Tarawally. Chairman Jalloh was presented with the staff and chain of office, while members of his executive received certificates of induction and were charged to uphold the values and constitution of the party.
The high-powered delegation from Freetown underscored the importance of the UK&I Region within the SLPP structure. Dignitaries present included First Lady H.E. Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio; Deputy High Commissioner Mrs. Yvonne King Odigboh; National Women’s Leader Mrs. Hawa Foray; National Organising Secretary Mr. Alhassan George; National Young Generation Leader Ing. Mohamed Kallon; former Speaker Hon. Sidi Yahya Tunis; Minister of Agriculture Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka and Minister of Lands Dr. Turad Senesie.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Turad Senesie urged the new executive to “bring everyone on board,” while Dr. Musa Kpaka highlighted government’s achievements in agriculture and other sectors.
Hon. Sidi Yahya Tunis, in his address, paid glowing tribute to First Lady Fatima Bio for her role in women’s empowerment and girls’ safety, and for projecting Sierra Leone positively on the international stage. He appealed for dialogue over hostility and unity over division, challenging the diaspora to be a model of mature political engagement.
Deputy National Chairman Kargbo reinforced the call for peace and inclusion, stressing that victory in 2028 requires a united front.
In a notable show of cross-party respect, representatives of the APC UK & Ireland also attended the event.
Keynote speaker, First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, who was introduced by Ing. Kallon, delivered a powerful message on ambition, empowerment and service. Opening with humour, “I bring you greetings from the most handsome man in the world,” in reference to President Julius Maada Bio, she spoke largely in Krio and urged women not to let anyone dim their light.
Mrs. Bio praised President Bio’s gender reforms, including the 30% quota for women and increased female representation in Cabinet and Parliament. She described Sierra Leone as a green, white and blue umbrella capable of accommodating diverse opinions, and launched a fundraiser for the regional executive with a personal contribution.
Her charge to the new leadership was emphatic: “Leadership must mean service to the people, not lip service.”
Earlier, Deputy High Commissioner Mrs. Yvonne King Odigboh set the tone with a welcome address noting that, “Unity does not mean that everyone must think alike. It means that even when we think differently, we remain respectful of each other and committed to a common purpose.”
The vote of thanks was delivered by Regional Secretary General Mrs. Teresa Dizo Kamara.
As the 2028 political calendar gradually comes into focus, the message from Romford was clear: mobilisation, peace, dialogue and service will anchor the party’s next chapter.
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