By Chernor Bah
The All People’s Congress (APC), Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, is grappling with internal tensions over the eligibility of former Vice President Dr. Alhaji Samuel Sidique Sam-Sumana to contest its leadership, particularly the flagbearer position for the 2028 elections.
On September 3, 2025, Sam-Sumana held a press conference at the Radisson Blu in Freetown, reaffirming his lifelong loyalty to the APC (“I was born APC and I will die APC”) and calling for unity to avoid divisions that could weaken the party’s bid for power. He framed his past 2015 ouster under President Ernest Bai Koroma as a constitutional fight against the government, not the party, which he challenged in Sierra Leone’s Supreme Court and the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
APC Secretary-General Lansana Dumbuya addressed speculation in a September 5 interview with Liberty Online TV, confirming that Sam-Sumana’s readmission followed due process under the party’s constitution, emphasizing fairness, transparency, and that no member is above the rules. He stressed that eligibility for leadership roles requires compliance with procedures, aiming to dispel claims of preferential treatment.
The situation escalated when the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) confirmed receipt of a formal five-page complaint from Sam-Sumana, including proof of paid dues, questioning his eligibility under the APC’s revised constitution and potential restrictions on aspirants’ rights. PPRC Executive Secretary Olushogo A. David noted the commission will review the matter, potentially involving hearings, though no timeline was given. The PPRC can mediate disputes but not dictate flagbearers, yet its involvement could impact perceptions of legitimacy.
Reactions are mixed: grassroots supporters in Sam-Sumana’s strongholds welcome his return as unifying, while some senior members remain cautious, prioritizing discipline. Analysts say his bid has reshaped APC dynamics, pressuring rivals and testing the party’s ability to balance inclusivity with rules amid factional risks. A transparent process could bolster the APC’s democratic image for 2028; disputes might fracture it further. Both the party and Sam-Sumana underscore adherence to the APC constitution and Sierra Leone’s democratic framework as paramount.
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*PPRC RULES ON SAM-SUMANA’S APC MEMBERSHIP*
*By Jonathan Oliver Sama-Mondeh*
Former Vice President’s Team Welcomes Landmark Ruling on APC Party Membership
The long-running controversy over the membership status of Sierra Leone’s former Vice President, Alhaji Chief Samuel Sam-Sumana, within the All People’s Congress (APC) has taken a decisive turn.
In a ruling delivered after weeks of legal arguments and internal wrangling, the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) ordered the APC to regularize and clarify Sam-Sumana’s membership status, citing serious breaches of due process in the manner the party previously declared his membership “forfeited.”
The decision is being widely viewed as a test case for internal party democracy and political accountability in Sierra Leone.
*APC Accused of Sidestepping Its Own Constitution*
The PPRC, after carefully reviewing submissions from both Sam-Sumana’s legal representatives and the APC leadership, found that the party failed to follow its own constitutional procedures.
While the APC argued that Sam-Sumana had effectively forfeited his membership when he left to form the Coalition for Change (C4C) in 2017, the Commission noted that:
No formal complaint was ever lodged before the Disciplinary and Grievance Handling Committee, as required by the APC Constitution (2022).
Sam-Sumana was never invited to a hearing or given an opportunity to defend himself against allegations of misconduct or forfeiture.
The matter was never referred to the National Delegates Conference the party’s highest decision-making body for ratification.
By bypassing these mandatory steps, the PPRC ruled, the APC undermined the principles of fair hearing, natural justice, and democratic accountability.
*ITGC Contributions Declared Valid*
A further point of contention had been Sam-Sumana’s payment of dues to the Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC) the caretaker body recognized by the courts during the APC’s leadership crisis.
The APC sought to dismiss these payments as invalid, but the Commission clarified that any contributions made to the ITGC must be regarded as legitimate party dues, since the ITGC was the lawful authority at the time.
This finding strengthens Sam-Sumana’s claim that he remained an active and contributing member of the APC, despite internal disputes.
*Directive and Consequences*
The PPRC has now directed the APC to:
1. Convene a properly constituted disciplinary committee to consider Sam-Sumana’s membership status in line with the APC Constitution.
2. Allow him to defend himself fully before any decision is made.
3. Refer any recommendation for expulsion to the National Delegates Conference, where he retains the right to appeal.
Failure to comply will not come without consequences. Under the Political Parties Act (2022), non-compliance may attract penalties ranging from:
Fines not less than NLe 100,000,
Suspension from political activities, or
In extreme cases, deregistration of the APC as a political party.
This stern warning underscores the Commission’s determination to enforce accountability within political organizations.
*A Call for Unity and National Rebirth*
Reacting to the decision, Sam-Sumana’s camp welcomed the ruling as a victory for truth, fairness, and the rule of law.
In a brief statement, the former Vice President called on the APC to rise above divisions and embrace unity for the sake of national progress.
> “This is not about me as an individual—it is about restoring trust in our institutions, ensuring that political parties respect their constitutions, and working together for the rebirth of Sierra Leone. I extend a hand of peace and reconciliation to my APC family, and I remain committed to serving our great nation.”
Political observers believe the ruling could reshape the APC’s internal dynamics ahead of the next election, with Sam-Sumana now in a stronger position to pursue leadership ambitions if reinstated.
*Conclusion*
The PPRC’s ruling is more than a verdict on Sam-Sumana’s membership. It is a landmark reaffirmation of the principle that no political party is above its own laws and that internal disputes must be guided by fairness, transparency, and constitutional order.
As the APC deliberates its next steps, the case stands as a reminder that democracy begins at home within political parties themselves.
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