-Sylvia Blyden Asserts
By Alusine Day Break
A fresh and political controversy is brewing in Sierra Leone following a strong warning attributed by a former government minister and prominent political commentator Sylvia Blyden, who has raised serious concerns prior to the passage of the constitutional amendments Bill that the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) wants to stay in power forever.
According to Blyden, prior to the Bill’s passage by Parliament, lamenting that the consequences could be far-reaching for Sierra Leone’s democratic and political landscape, particularly for the Opposition All People’s Congress (APC).
Blyden is reported to have warned that the APC could find it extremely difficult to return to power if the proposed legislation becomes law.
Her warning has immediately raised questions about the real intentions behind the proposed legislation and whether it could fundamentally alter the political playing field ahead of future elections.
Blyden’s most explosive assertion centres on her claim that those behind the proposed changes are seeking to create conditions that would enable the currently ruling political establishment to remain in power for an extended period.
She reportedly questioned whether the proposed legislation could be part of a broader political strategy designed to strengthen the position of the governing party while weakening the chances of a future opposition victory.
Her alleged statement that “they want to stay in power forever” has added another layer of controversy to an already sensitive political debate.
Her remark represents a serious political accusation—not merely about the contents of the Bill, but about the intentions Blyden believes may be driving the proposed legislative changes.
For political critics such as Blyden OOR, the central question is not simply whether Parliament has the constitutional authority to pass legislation without a two-thirds votes, but whether any proposed law could unintentionally—or deliberately—create an uneven political environment.
The opposition and civil society are therefore likely to still demand greater transparency and wider public discussion and clear explanations of the provisions contained in the Bill.
With Sierra Leone’s political parties already positioning themselves for future electoral battles, any legislation capable of changing the rules of political competition is bound to attract enormous attention.
The APC remains one of the country’s two major political parties and has repeatedly expressed its ambition to return to State House.
Blyden’s warning, therefore, strikes directly at the heart of the APC’s political calculations.
Her argument appears to be that if the proposed Bill is passed and assented to by President Bio it will create a political or electoral framework that advantages the incumbent establishment, whereby the APC could face a dramatically altered political environment.
That possibility, whether real or perceived, could become one of the biggest political debates in the country.
At the centre of the debate is a much bigger question: Should laws governing political participation and democratic institutions be designed in a way that can influence the ability of one party to defeat another?
Supporters of the Bill may argue that the legislation is necessary for institutional reform, improved governance or the strengthening of existing systems.
Critics, however, may interpret the same provisions differently, particularly if they believe the reforms could affect electoral competition or political succession.
Blyden’s intervention is expected to intensify political discussion, particularly among APC supporters and other opposition voices who may already be suspicious of proposed changes to the country’s political and electoral framework.
The ruling side, however, would have the opportunity to explain the purpose of the legislation and reject any suggestion that it is intended to perpetuate one political party in power.
Sierra Leoneans deserve to know better even the lay man in the hard to reach communities. Exactly what the Bill proposes, why it is being introduced, what constitutional safeguards exist, and how it could affect future elections positively or negatively.
THE BIG QUESTION
If President Bio assents to the constitutional changes Bill passage, will it genuinely strengthen Sierra Leone’s democratic institutions—or could it change the political equation in favour of the incumbent?
That is the question now confronting all Sierra Leoneans, including lawmakers, political parties, and civil society organisations.
Sylvia Blyden’s warning has thrown more fuel onto an already sensitive political conversation.
