A significant number of commercial motorbike riders—commonly referred to as “okada riders”—staged a bold demonstration in front of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) office in Bo, calling for the return of the All People’s Congress (APC) to power. The protest, which drew attention from residents and passersby was marked by chants of discontent and placards bearing messages of frustration, highlighting what the protesters described as failed promises and growing hardship under the SLPP government.
The demonstration, which unfolded in the heart of the southern city considered an SLPP stronghold, surprised many observers and political analysts alike. The bike riders voiced their anger over rising costs of living, high fuel prices, unemployment, excessive taxation, and what they described as “economic suffocation” under the current administration.
Speaking to local media, several riders expressed disappointment in the SLPP-led government’s handling of issues affecting youths livelihoods. “We voted with hope, but today, we are worse off,” said one rider, who identified himself as Abu. “The prices of spare parts have doubled. Fuel is expensive. Police harassment is on the rise. We are working, but we are not earning enough to survive.”
Another protester lamented, “We cannot feed our families anymore. This government has failed us. We are now calling on the APC to come back and rescue us. At least under them, life was better than this.”
Eyewitnesses reported that the protest, though loud, remained peaceful, with no violence or property damage recorded. However, it sent a clear political message: that public sentiment, even in traditional SLPP areas, may be shifting due to mounting social and economic pressures.
Political analysts say this rare public display of opposition in Bo is significant and may signal growing cracks in the SLPP’s support base. “When people begin to rise up in a region that is traditionally loyal to the SLPP, it means the government must start listening closely,” said a local political commentator.
SLPP officials in Bo have not yet issued an official statement regarding the protest, but security was discreetly increased around the party’s office in the hours following the demonstration.
The APC, which has been in opposition since 2018, has yet to publicly respond to the riders’ call, but insiders within the party believe this could be an early indication of shifting public sentiment ahead of future elections.
As the country continues to grapple with economic challenges, the voices of disillusioned citizens—particularly from the youth—appear to be growing louder. The protest in Bo may not be an isolated event, but a sign of broader unrest in a population eager for change, hope, and better living conditions.
