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Alhaji Sidi Yayah Tunis, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Peoples Congress (APC), has accused the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) of maintaining political dominance in the Southeast through violence and electoral malpractice.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Liberty Online TV, Tunis claimed that the SLPP’s assertion of “dominating” the Southeast does not reflect the will of the people, but rather the manner in which elections are conducted under its governance.
According to Tunis, Sierra Leone’s political history shows a recurring pattern in which the Southeast becomes tense whenever elections draw near. He alleged that this is a deliberate strategy by the SLPP to safeguard what it considers its political stronghold.
“They ensure that other political parties cannot safely campaign in those areas,” Tunis said. “People are intimidated, and those who are not SLPP supporters are driven out to manipulate the process.”
The APC spokesman further claimed that the SLPP has not won elections through legitimate means, alleging that electoral manipulation has been central to its victories.
“The only way SLPP has won elections is through rigging. If elections are credible, they will not be able to win,” he stated.
To support his claims, Tunis referenced several past elections. He described the 1996 elections as fundamentally flawed, while crediting the firmness of former National Electoral Commission Chairperson Christiana Thorpe for preventing manipulation during the 2007 elections. He also described the 2012 elections as fair, arguing that the APC secured significant votes in the Southeast because the SLPP was not in a position to influence the electoral process.
Tunis contrasted the APC’s governance approach with that of the SLPP, stating that his party prioritizes national inclusivity rather than regional or ethnic dominance. He maintained that the APC provides opportunities across all tribes, regions, and districts when in power.
He concluded by asserting that Sierra Leone experiences greater peace under APC leadership, claiming that “the country is always at peace whenever the APC is ruling” and that the party performs strongly wherever credible elections are conducted.
