Bombshell For SLPP
The latest favorability and electability survey conducted by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) has revealed a highly competitive political landscape within the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), with no single figure commanding outright majority support among self-identified party backers.
According to the survey findings, no SLPP member achieved the 50 percent threshold in favorability ratings, underscoring the depth of competition and the absence of a clear frontrunner as internal party dynamics continue to evolve. The results suggest a party field that is open, fluid, and intensely contested, particularly as conversations around leadership, succession, and national direction gain momentum.
Leading the pack is Hon. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, who emerged as the most favorably viewed SLPP figure in the survey. Yumkella recorded a 48 percent approval rating, placing him just two points shy of an outright majority. In terms of perceived electability, he also topped the chart with 38 percent, indicating that a significant portion of SLPP supporters see him not only as likable but also as capable of winning a national contest. His performance reflects sustained recognition built over years of public service, international exposure, and policy-driven engagement.
Trailing behind Yumkella is Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, who secured a 27 percent favorability rating. Widely regarded as a technocrat and reform-minded leader, Sengeh’s showing highlights his growing influence within the party, particularly among younger and urban respondents who associate him with innovation, education reform, and data-driven governance.
Closely following is First Lady Fatima Bio, who garnered 26 percent in favorability. Her strong visibility through advocacy on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and social welfare continues to resonate with a notable segment of SLPP supporters. The survey suggests that while she remains a polarizing figure in some quarters, her name recognition and activist profile have translated into tangible internal party support.
Also featuring prominently is Vice President Dr. Mohammed Juldeh Jalloh, who received a 24 percent favorability rating. As a key figure in the current administration, Jalloh’s numbers reflect steady backing from party loyalists who credit him with experience in governance, diplomacy, and economic management, even as he competes in a crowded field of influential party personalities.
Analysts say the absence of a clear majority favorite points to a fragmented but vibrant internal democracy within the SLPP, where multiple leaders command significant followings. The results further indicate that party supporters are weighing a mix of factors—experience, performance in government, public image, and perceived electability—rather than rallying overwhelmingly behind a single individual.
The IGR survey therefore paints a picture of an SLPP at a crossroads: united in governance but diverse in leadership preferences. As political timelines advance and internal consultations deepen, these figures are expected to intensify outreach, consolidate support bases, and sharpen their policy narratives in an effort to convert favorability into broader consensus.
Overall, the findings reinforce one key takeaway: the SLPP race remains wide open, and any eventual outcome will likely be shaped by strategic alliances, grassroots mobilization, and the ability of aspirants to appeal beyond their core supporters within the party.
