Looming APC Leadership Issue : The Two Sides of the Coin

By Kabs Kanu

As another thorny issue threatens to afflict the opposition All People’s Congress ( APC following the constitutional expiration of the term of tenure of the National Leader Dr. Samura Kamara and his deputy Mr. Chernor Maju Bah ( Chericoco ), with members divided already and blowing their minds on social media, we , as a newspaper, bring you the two sides of the coin in the present argument.

The opinion below encapsulates the feelings of those APC members who believe that once their terms have expired, the national leader and his deputy must step down.

After reading it, go to the second school of thought below it , which states that the terms of the two leaders must be extended because the APC is presently facing difficult circumstances and a change of leadership right now will hurt the cause of the party .

READ BOTH SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT

DO NOT FLOUT THE CONSTITUTION TO APPEASE ONE MAN

Rabbi-matic speaks to NAC

You will meet in an hour from now and I guess the issue of the leader of the party will form part of the agenda, if not the agenda

I have heard and read opinions suggesting Samura to continue to be the leader until we are done with tripartite talks. The APC 2022 Constitution is very clear on this. Here is what Article 47a IV says:
Where the _National Leader_ fails to be elected President of Sierra Leone he shall relinquish the position of National Leader six months after the final declaration of election results by the _National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone_, notwithstanding _any petition filed in the Supreme Court_ or pursuant to any law; and such position shall remain _vacant_ until another election for the Party’s presidential candidate is conducted pursuant to this Constitution

I don’t know why this looks ambiguous in the eyes of some enlightened APC folks when my nephew who is in class 5 can understand this with unperturbed ease

Let it be known by all that we can not and will not allow anyone to doctor our one-year-old baby (Constitution). It is even a shame to think that way

Because we are resisting such criminality, any attempt to extend Samura’s tenure beyond yesterday is tantamount to a court interpretation; a cause I am ready to lead

I call on the Chairman of the party, Comrade Minkailu Mansaray to assert himself in the driving seat and take us to the desired destination. We look forward to you cementing the gaps in our party. Get us united to the promised land. Anything less than that is a failure on your part, sir

As I conclude, let those anti-democratic advocates of more time for Samura know that, as of today, Samura cannot be addressed as the leader of the APC and he cannot do same. *Anyone doing business with him in that capacity, does so at his/her own risk

We cannot accuse the SLPP of constitutional breaches and we want to do the same. As a proud reformer in my party, my gratuity is this golden constitution that some people want to *banfa*. It is *impossi-can’t*. Find another escape route. This one is blocked already

A word for the wise is always GBET

Thank you

VERY CLEAR SPECIAL SITUATION EXIST FOR NAC TO USE IT CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS TO EXTEND THE TERM LIMIT OF OUR LEADER & DEPUTY AS INVESTIGATIONS OF 2023 ARE ONGOING

1) The National Advisory Council (NAC) and emergency National Delegate Conference has the power to extend the mandate of the National Leader/flagbearer and deputy because clearly we are at very special situations in Sierra Leone & Party with regards to the June 2023 elections final results as till now no credible results has ever being published to prove who won or loss that election election election . Many credible international observers mission and nations has called out the e 2023 election results as rigged , not credible leading to ongoing investigation creating a special situation

2)Article 47(a) (IV) is clear if the leader loss but our APC leader in this special situation didn’t loss the 2023 elections as the results are being investigated.

“If the National Leader loses the presidential election, he must relinquish the position within six months of the final declaration of election results by the National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone.“

3)This constitution provision is clear but at the same time 2023 elections result announced are not credible or acceptable which led APC party to outrightly reject the outcome by boycotting governance for 4 months which led to political instability, stalemate and impasse.

4)This created a special situation in our country as the APC party boycotted governance and refused to petition the results in court leading to a political deadlock which was broker by international mediated agreement being implemented now.

5)To prove further that this is a special situation APC party called for a full re-run of the 2023 elections within 6 months proving that our leaders didn’t loss the 2023 elections. Various international observers report like Carter center , NDI , state Department, US Senate foreign relations committee, EUOM , NEW all said the results are not only not credible but statistically inconsistent

6) The very constitution under such Special Situation and circumstances as the June 2023 elections being investigated for inconsistent, fraud gave NAC and the NDC powers under such special situations gave NAC POWER to extend the term of the National Leader/flag bearer and deputy since it’s abundantly clear that the APC didn’t loss 2023 elections , final correct credible results are still not being announced or validated.

7) The APC party Constitution under such Special Situations Constitution gave vest powers in an emergency NDC to extend the tenure of the National Leader and deputy.