By Yusuff Moseray Suma In a press conference held at its party’s headquarters in Brookfields, Freetown, the main opposition party, the All Peoples Congress (APC), has sounded the alarm on numerous irregularities unfolding in the Agreement for National Unity, the Constitutional Amendment Bill, the Proportional Representation, and the planned National Housing Census
Presenting the party’s concerns to party members and the press, the APC’s lead negotiator on the Agreement for National Unity, Dr. Kaifala Marah, described the whole process of the electoral reforms as “under threat and manipulations” by the SLPP government.
Dr. Marah said the irregularities unfolding within the process are not good for the peace and democracy of this country. He further said that even though the electoral reforms have some good points to be seriously considered for the betterment of the nation, the current government is not considering those aspects.
Dr. Marah explained that one of the electoral reforms agreed on is to make the ECSL an independent body by allowing an independent, dedicated, outstanding committee in Parliament to oversee the activities of ECSL and all other election bodies. Yet, it has not been considered. “Our leader in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has written to the Speaker of Parliament for the committee to be set up. As we speak, that committee has not been set up,” Dr. Marah emphasized.
Speaking on the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill, the leader of the APC in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, called on APC members of Parliament to remain steadfast and stand firm not to allow any bill to pass into an act if it is against the will of the people and the Constitution of Sierra Leone.
Hon. Kargbo finally drew the attention of APC members of Parliament to work as one and ensure unity over division within the party. “If we are together, a single law in our Constitution will not be changed by the SLPP government to suit their comfort. If SLPP changes any law in our Constitution, APC MPs are responsible,” the leader of APC in Parliament said.
One of the flagbearer aspirants, Hon. Osman Alpha Timbo, said the development of our country lies in the Constitution of Sierra Leone. Timbo said a solid foundation always guarantees the outcome of a building. He said the APC party is not in any way against the improvement of the laws of Sierra Leone, neither the Amendment Bill, but the party will resist any law that is to benefit one person or a single political party. “If we are to amend any law in our Constitution, it must be for the benefit and growth of the people of Sierra Leone and the entire country,” Hon. Osman Timbo reiterated.
The Acting Chairman, Ambassador Foday Osman Yasaneh, emphasized the party’s crucial stage to win the elections come 2028. The Acting Chairman further stated that the current government is about to conduct a census which they want to use to manipulate and rig the 2028 elections. He said their party is not against the census, but they will not allow the unlawful midterm 2021 census data to be used by the SLPP government to determine the population of Sierra Leone.
Ambassador Yasaneh said the actual census date is 2025, as enshrined in the Constitution, which mandates that every ten years the country conducts its national census. He therefore reminded every single member and supporter of the APC to play a role for the party to achieve victory in the upcoming general elections.
