By Ibrahim Sesay

The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has strongly condemned what it described as hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric directed at His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, while expressing full support for an ongoing criminal investigation by the Sierra Leone Police into incidents that occurred at a recent opposition gathering.

In a Press Statement issued on Thursday February 5, 2026, the ruling party said the remarks were made during an All People’s Congress (APC) meeting held on January 31, 2026, at the Attouga Mini Stadium, where senior opposition figures and supporters allegedly made statements intended to vilify, humiliate and incite hatred against the President of the Republic and Leader of the SLPP .

The SLPP described the rhetoric as deeply regrettable and warned that such conduct undermines democratic values, fuels political polarization and risks inciting violence. While reaffirming its commitment to freedom of expression, the party stressed that this right is not absolute and does not extend to speech that attacks, insults, degrades or encourages violence against constitutional authorities.

“The conduct of APC representatives on January 31 transcended acceptable democratic boundaries,” the statement said, noting that political criticism must remain constructive and lawful rather than inflammatory and divisive .

The SLPP further rejected a Press Release issued by the APC National Secretariat on February 4, 2026, which sought to justify the statements made at the meeting. According to the ruling party, the opposition failed to lawfully challenge the outcome of the June 24, 2023 presidential election within the constitutionally mandated seven-day period, rendering its claims legally baseless.

“These allegations cannot withstand scrutiny before the Supreme Court,” the statement asserted, adding that continued attempts to promote unsubstantiated narratives or propose unauthorized political actions amounted to deliberate efforts to sow instability.

Despite the political tensions, the SLPP highlighted President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership in initiating dialogue with the opposition, which has led to the ongoing implementation of recommendations from the Tripartite Committee involving the Government, the APC and international partners.

The party also acknowledged the important role of the opposition in a democratic society but emphasized that political engagement must be guided by the rule of law, responsible conduct and a commitment to national cohesion.

In that regard, the SLPP said it fully supports the Sierra Leone Police in continuing their criminal investigation into the conduct and expressions displayed at the January 31 APC meeting, describing the probe as necessary to ensure accountability and prevent political violence.

The party further called on all stakeholders, including moral guarantors, to collectively condemn hate speech, incitement to violence and obscenity in public discourse. It also commended the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) for its swift action regarding alleged contraventions of the Political Parties Act 2022 by the APC.

The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of the SLPP’s commitment to peaceful, lawful and democratic governance in the interest of national unity and prosperity.

The press statement was signed by Jimmy Batilo Songa, National Chairman of the Sierra Leone People’s Party. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/slpp-raises-alarm-over-hate-speech-calls-for-accountability-after-apc-meeting/