Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Councillor Ibrahim Gbla, the newly appointed leader of the Freetown City Council, has called on Sierra Leoneans to prioritize national unity and development above partisan considerations, even as his appointment remains the subject of a heated legal and political dispute.
In a statement released Monday, Gbla, who was selected by fellow ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) councillors, appealed for a renewed mindset focused on inclusive governance. He emphasized his commitment to serving Freetown residents with fairness and responsibility.
However, Gbla’s appointment has been mired in controversy since SLPP councillors nominated him in late March 2026 amid a boycott by opposition All People’s Congress (APC) officials. The APC’s withdrawal from governance activities, including that of Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, followed political disputes over the government’s handling of recommendations from the Cross-Party Tripartite Committee.
Gbla has since sought to clarify the nature of his position. In a statement on March 26, 2026, he denied holding the title of “Acting Mayor,” explaining that such an office does not legally exist.
“When you go to my page, there isn’t anything as Acting Mayor,” Gbla said, adding that his selection was internal among SLPP councillors to represent them, not an official appointment to a new office. He explained that following complaints about the Mayor’s treatment of SLPP councillors, the party’s national chairman asked them to choose a leader among themselves.
The legality of establishing any leadership role outside the elected mayor has been sharply contested. Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has firmly dismissed any appointment of an acting mayor as having no legal basis under the Local Government Act 2022. Her legal team maintains there is “no vacancy” in the mayoral position.
Former two-term Mayor Layemin Joe Sandi echoed these concerns, warning that the decision sets a dangerous precedent for local governance. Sandi noted that the Local Government Act 2022 does not recognize any office called “Acting Mayor,” and that where both the mayor and deputy mayor are absent, the law only allows councillors to choose one among themselves to preside over a meeting—a purely procedural role that does not confer the powers of the mayor’s office.
House Minority Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo has also publicly supported Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s stance, questioning the legality of the process.
SLPP officials have defended the move as necessary to “restore functional governance” in the capital amid what they describe as a governance vacuum threatening basic service delivery. They point to provisions in the Local Government (Amendment) Act 2022, which they argue allows the council to designate one of its members as acting mayor during the temporary absence of the substantive mayor.
Despite the ongoing dispute, Gbla, in his message as appointed leader, stressed that he and his fellow SLPP councillors remain committed to serving the municipality with dedication. His call for unity comes as political tensions continue to surround the administration of Sierra Leone’s capital.
A recent opinion poll indicated that 76 percent of Sierra Leoneans view the APC boycott negatively, while 68 percent believe it is undermining democratic governance. Governance experts have called for dialogue to resolve the standoff and prevent further disruption to municipal services.
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