By Foday Moriba Conteh
The All People’s Congress (APC) has formally responded to the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) concerning an alleged breach of Section 39(1) of the Political Parties Act No. 25 of 2022 attributed to one of its District Chairmen. In a strongly worded letter dated 18th November, 2025 and addressed to the Commission’s Executive Secretary, the Party insists it is unaware of any verified or authenticated incident that would amount to a violation of the Act.
Signed by the National Secretary-General, Lansana Dumbuya Esq., the APC states that as a responsible political institution governed by the 1991 Constitution and the Political Parties Act, it treats issues of compliance with the utmost seriousness. However, it insists that before any allegation can stand, facts must be properly established and all supporting materials must meet standards of authenticity and reliability.
The Party expressed concern over what it described as a recent surge in doctored audio recordings, misrepresented conversations and manipulated social media artefacts intended to inflame the political environment. Against that background, the APC urged the PPRC and all regulatory bodies to exercise the highest degree of scrutiny before initiating regulatory actions.
The letter further draws attention to what the APC considers selective enforcement, noting that similar or even more alarming public statements made by prominent members of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) have not attracted equal urgency or sanctions from the PPRC. This, they argue, creates a perception of partiality inconsistent with the Commission’s statutory mandate.
“The PPRC is expected, both in law and in practice, to function as a neutral referee in Sierra Leone’s multiparty democratic system,” the letter states. “An umpire must not be seen to lean toward any political actor. The Commission’s legitimacy rests on its ability to demonstrate fairness, balance and even-handedness.”
In the interest of transparency, due process and accuracy, the APC has formally requested the PPRC to:
- Provide the Party with the full, unedited and verifiable evidence, including metadata upon which the allegation against Hon. Lahai Marah is based.
- Refrain from imposing any fine, sanction or adverse determination until such evidence is shared, authenticated and the accused is given an opportunity to be heard.
The letter assures that upon receipt of genuine and verified information, the APC will activate its internal disciplinary mechanisms in accordance with its Constitution.
Reaffirming its commitment to the Joint Agreement signed on 11th November 2025, the APC says it continues to act responsibly to preserve political stability, promote tolerance and avoid unnecessary escalation. However, the Party stressed that all stakeholders must uphold the same standards of fairness and restraint.
The APC concluded by expressing trust that the PPRC will address the matter in line with its legal mandate and the expectations of impartial democratic oversight.
