April 7, 2021
By Ilyasa Baa
Chairman of the All Political Parties’ Association (APPA), has described the newly formed Consortium of Progressive Political Parties headed by Femi Claudius Cole of the Unity Party as an illegal organization formed out of what he referred to as selfish desire by the politicians.
Prince Coker made this disclosure while responding to interview by A-Z newspaper over the formation of the Consortium couple of days ago when twelve political parties penned their signatures to be members of the Consortium.
The Consortium has raised concerns over the Mid Term Census and the Cyber Crime Bill saying they were not consultative but according to APPA Chairman, the association whole heartedly appreciates the census and the bill, pointing out that they were fully consulted.
He said APPA, together with the four main political parties were part of the Advisory Committee at Statistics Sierra Leone but came to realize that NGC which is making so much noise over consultation did not raise anything concerns during committee meetings over the implementation of the ongoing census.
He further said there was no need to set up such consortium when the association has been very vibrant engaging the government on national issues. He said their first point of call is engagement and not bashing the government of the day. He said APPA has an undiluted track record having been constructive over the years since he was conventional elected as Chairman of the association.
He noted that the association is the only legally recognized institution dealing with political parties unlike the Consortium of Progressive Political Parties which he said has no legal status in the country. He deemed their action as deceitful praying that posterity will judge them.
It could be recalled that twelve political parties recently formed this consortium calling for widespread consultation by the government over national issues such as the Mid Term Census and the controversial Cyber Crime Bill. The Ministry of Information and Communications had defended the government as one that is consultative.