Alpha Kanu Gives APC MPs 30-Day Ultimatum or Risk Losing Their Parliamentary Seats

The Presidential Spokesman, Alhaji Alpha Khan, has issued a 30-day ultimatum to the All People’s Congress (APC), warning that failure to occupy their seats in Parliament could result in their replacement by members of other political parties.

Speaking on the matter, Khan stated that if the APC continues to abstain from parliamentary proceedings, the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) would be compelled to reassign those seats in accordance with the law.

He argued that parliamentary seats ultimately belong to the people of Sierra Leone, emphasizing that political parties only occupy them based on electoral priority. According to him, the APC initially secured those seats due to its position on the electoral list, but forfeiting participation could lead to a reassignment.

“The APC was elected in the electoral list for their Members of Parliament because they were the priority in the list. If they indicate they are not interested, the ECSL is bound to review the list and extend similar priority to other political parties to occupy those seats. There will be no vacant seats in Parliament,” he stated.

Khan further maintained that under the law, if the APC fails to return to Parliament within the stipulated 30 days, the ECSL has the authority to allocate the seats to other political parties, including the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), the National Grand Coalition (NGC), the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and others.

The statement has added to ongoing political tensions, as debates continue over parliamentary participation, representation, and the legal interpretation of electoral provisions.
Observers say the development could have significant implications for the composition of Parliament and the broader political landscape if the situation remains unresolved.