April 22, 2021
The leading opposition All People Congress, APC has been struck by double jeopardy, starting with the rudeness in parliament of its lawmakers to have engendered public displeasure and the court order of Justice Adrian Fisher calling for the convening of an emergency delegate conference.
Political pundits say this is difficult moment for the party-s ill prepared to put its act together in terms of constructive re-engagement in making up for the political blunders.
APC Secretary General Osman Yansaneh yesterday confirmed the planned meeting of the National Advisory Council to take position on the issues besetting the party especially the hosting of a delegate conference that has been ordered by the court. He could not provide a definitive date for said meeting but it is very likely that the planned meeting will not be delayed owing to the pressing nature of the court high order.
Specifically the court makes the time determination: “The 3rd defendant shall hold the emergency national delegates conference within 56 days, from the date the 4th defendant determines the amended constitution shall have come into effect.”
It would appear that the APC has no legal recourse to elude the directives of the court order especially regarding the party new constitution that has been contentious issue warranting a reform group from within.
Political Party Registration Commission as 4th defendant in the matter will be soon seen pushing the party to act fast based on the court order that states:
The 4th defendant PPRC shall determine the time for the coming into effect of the amended constitution, in accordance with the provisions of section 24(2) of the Political Parties Act no 3 of 2002.
With the party entanglement in constitutional debacle to wit the ill-advised action of the opposition leader in spear heading acts of vandalism in parliament and the more egregious acts of tearing of thrashing a presidential proclamation, a rumor had been set in motion suggesting that an arrest warrant will issued against Hon. Cherenor Maju Bah.
The Police Media and Public Relations has been swift to counter such trending social media insinuation, describing it as misleading
In the mounting pressure the opposition has been subjected to based on its actions and inactions many are of the view that there is hardly going to be a common ground from within in terms of the sound options to embrace. Such pessimism are grounded on the fact that the party is divided in the bid to fill positions now open for grabs, it has been opined by those monitoring the leadership jockeying between Dr Samura Kamara, Dr Richard Konteh and Sam Sumana.
Former President Ernest Bai Koroma who has been humbled in the high court ruling is a major factor in the process of overhauling the imploding party and he is clarly having vested interested in the constitutional process and installation of new crop of leaders. Many believe he cannot afford to be neutral and this comes with a huge price as Hon. Mohamed Bangura had warned that such a prospect will mean the APC must squander whatever slim chances it has for a political comeback.