APC SLAMS ELECTORAL COUP PLOT
By: Yusuff Moseray Suma
The main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) has raised serious alarm over what it describes as growing irregularities and deliberate manipulation surrounding Sierra Leone’s ongoing electoral reform process. Addressing a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Brookfields, Freetown, the APC outlined deep concerns over the Agreement for National Unity, the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill, the Proportional Representation system, and the planned national housing census.Presenting the party’s position, APC’s lead negotiator on the Agreement for National Unity, Dr. Kaifala Marah, warned that the entire electoral reform process is “under threat and manipulation” by the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).Dr. Marah said the unfolding irregularities pose a direct danger to national peace, democratic stability, and public trust. While acknowledging that some aspects of the reform process contain positive provisions worthy of consideration, he accused the government of deliberately sidelining those elements that would strengthen transparency and accountability.He cited, in particular, the agreed proposal to guarantee the independence of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) through the establishment of a dedicated parliamentary oversight committee. According to Dr. Marah, this critical safeguard has been ignored.“Our leader in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has formally written to the Speaker of Parliament requesting the establishment of this committee. As we speak, that committee has still not been set up,” Dr. Marah emphasized.Speaking on the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, Leader of the APC in Parliament, called on APC Members of Parliament to remain resolute and united in resisting any legislation that contradicts the will of the people or undermines the Constitution of Sierra Leone.He urged party MPs not to allow any bill to be rushed into law for partisan advantage, warning that history would judge their actions.“If we are united, not a single law in our Constitution will be changed by the SLPP government to suit its comfort. If any unconstitutional law is passed, APC MPs will be held responsible,” Hon. Kargbo warned.Adding his voice, APC flagbearer aspirant Hon. Osman Alpha Timbo stressed that Sierra Leone’s development is anchored in the strength and integrity of its Constitution. He likened constitutional reform to building construction, arguing that a weak foundation guarantees failure.Hon. Timbo made it clear that the APC is not opposed to legal reforms or constitutional amendments in principle, but will strongly resist any changes designed to benefit an individual or a single political party.“Any amendment to our Constitution must serve the interest of the people of Sierra Leone and the nation as a whole, not narrow political interests,” he said.Meanwhile, APC Acting Chairman Ambassador Foday Osman Yansaneh described the current political moment as critical ahead of the 2028 general elections. He accused the SLPP government of attempting to manipulate the electoral landscape through the planned population and housing census.Ambassador Yansaneh stated that while the APC supports a lawful census, it will strongly oppose the use of what he described as an unlawful mid-term 2021 census to determine national population figures.He stressed that the Constitution provides for a national census every ten years, placing the next legitimate census in 2025, not earlier.The Acting Chairman therefore called on all APC members and supporters to remain vigilant, united, and actively engaged as the party prepares for what he described as a decisive electoral contest in 2028.