Freetown – Dr. Ibrahim Bangura, leader of the DIB Movement and an All People’s Congress (APC) flagbearer aspirant, has called on President Julius Maada Bio to withhold assent to the recently passed Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2026, until the Supreme Court clarifies key constitutional questions arising from Parliament’s handling of the legislation.
Bangura said he has closely monitored the parliamentary process and believes the issues at stake go to the heart of Sierra Leone’s constitutional order, democratic governance and the strength of its institutions.
He welcomed the Speaker’s decision to refer the matter to the Supreme Court under Section 94(2) of the Constitution for an advisory opinion, urging that the process move forward without delay.
“Given the significance of the questions at stake, I respectfully urge that this process proceed without unnecessary delay,” Bangura stated. An authoritative interpretation from the Court, he argued, would provide much-needed clarity on the requirements for amending the country’s supreme law.
Bangura expressed support for the APC’s position that further action on the bill should be suspended pending judicial consideration. He also backed the party’s intention to seek appropriate redress before the Supreme Court, stressing that allowing the Court to rule before any irreversible steps are taken would protect constitutional order, public confidence and the rule of law.
“It would be prudent for all concerned to allow the Court to pronounce on these important constitutional questions before any irreversible steps are taken,” he said.
Beyond the immediate dispute, Bangura appealed for patience and restraint from political actors and citizens alike. Political differences, he noted, should not undermine the constitutional framework designed for their peaceful resolution.
“Whatever our political differences, our shared responsibility is to ensure that the Constitution remains the foundation for the peaceful, lawful resolution of those differences.”
He emphasised that constitutional amendments are not ordinary legislation. They carry far-reaching consequences for governance, the relationship between citizens and the state, and the constitutional inheritance left for future generations. Any change to Sierra Leone’s supreme law, he said, demands the highest standard of care, meaningful consultation, due process and national responsibility.
Bangura specifically called on President Bio to take three steps: withhold assent while the Supreme Court considers the matter; encourage broad stakeholder consultations involving the APC, other political parties, civil society, legal experts and key national actors to build the widest possible consensus; and safeguard the sovereign will of the people by ensuring any final outcome reflects broad national confidence, constitutional legitimacy and Sierra Leone’s long-term interests.
Addressing his own party, Bangura urged APC members and supporters to show unity, calm, discipline and constructive engagement. He cautioned against turning the constitutional question into a purely partisan fight.
“Our party is greater than any individual, and the future of Sierra Leone is greater than any political party.”
He called for lawful advocacy, principled leadership and engagement with all stakeholders in defence of democratic institutions.
Looking ahead, Bangura described the Constitution as the bedrock of the Republic. Any process of amending it, he argued, must inspire confidence in both its legality and legitimacy. Constitutional reform should not be treated as an opportunity for political advantage but as a solemn national responsibility requiring deliberation, inclusion and fidelity to democratic principles.
With the matter heading towards possible judicial review, he said responsibility for protecting Sierra Leone’s constitutional order rests not only with the Supreme Court but also with Parliament, the Executive, political parties, civil society and ordinary citizens.
“At moments of constitutional significance, our responsibility is not merely to consider what may be possible today, but what will best serve our country tomorrow.”
Bangura’s intervention frames the current dispute as a test of the country’s commitment to constitutionalism, urging all sides to prioritise restraint, consultation and the long-term interests of Sierra Leoneans.
