The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has issued a detailed response following Saikou Sawo’s announcement that he is reviving the Golden Era Party (GEP) and ending his membership of the PPP.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the party thanked Sawo for his service and wished him well in his future political endeavours, while seeking to clarify what it described as misconceptions surrounding the proposed alliance with the United Democratic Party (UDP).

The PPP said discussions with the UDP were conducted in good faith through a Coalition Negotiation Committee established by the party leadership. However, it stressed that the proposed alliance agreement has not yet been approved through the party’s constitutional processes and therefore does not represent the PPP’s final position.

According to the party, any alliance must first be considered and endorsed by its constitutional organs before being formally signed by the Secretary General and Party Leader.

Addressing the controversy surrounding Sawo’s departure, the PPP said the issue was not about the substance of the UDP alliance but about authorization.

The party alleged that Sawo publicly associated the PPP with the UDP on several occasions without the knowledge or approval of the party leadership, creating confusion among members and supporters over the party’s official position.

It also said Sawo’s appearance at the UDP press conference in his capacity as the PPP’s presidential flag bearer had not been authorized by the party leadership. Previous public statements regarding the proposed alliance were likewise made without the party’s approval, the statement added.

The PPP maintained that under its constitution, only the Secretary General and Party Leader, or someone specifically authorized, can communicate the party’s official position on alliance negotiations and other major political matters.

The party defended the decision by its Board of Trustees to issue an advisory letter to Sawo, saying the board was fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to safeguard party unity, discipline and institutional integrity.

It said the letter was intended to remind the former flag bearer of his constitutional obligations and should not be interpreted as opposition to political cooperation or electoral reform.

The PPP concluded by rejecting claims that its constitutional procedures amount to obstruction, arguing that consultation, accountability and adherence to internal rules are essential to democratic governance and responsible leadership.