Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) has ruled in favor of former Vice President Alhaji Chief Samuel Sam-Sumana, affirming his eligibility to contest for the All People’s Congress (APC) flagbearer position in the upcoming elections.
In its decision, the Commission directed the APC National Secretary General to withdraw Sam-Sumana’s 2023 Honorary Foundation Membership Card and replace it with a membership card dated 2020. This action formally recognizes his readmission into the party on September 8, 2020.
The PPRC upheld Article 56(b) of the APC Constitution, which requires presidential aspirants to have at least five years of continuous party membership. However, the Commission advised the party to seek legal guidance on the issue of retroactivity in relation to Sam-Sumana’s membership status.
Additionally, the PPRC criticized the APC’s Interim Transitional Governance Committee, stating that it acted in bad faith by disqualifying Sam-Sumana without proper communication or due process.
Sam-Sumana’s membership status had been under dispute following his expulsion from the APC in 2014. However, the Commission affirmed that his readmission in 2020 was valid and lawful.
This ruling effectively clears the way for Sam-Sumana to contest for the APC leadership, as he has now completed the required five-year continuous membership period.