New APC Constitution Knocks Out Sam-Sumana From 2023 Presidential Race

The newly adopted September 2021 All People’s Congress (APC) Constitution has automatically knocked out former Vice President, Chief Alhaji Samuel Sam Sumana in the race for the 2023 flagbearer position for the main opposition.

Chief Sam Sumana is believed to be a front runner for the coveted position; however, according to Article 61, Election of Presidential Candidate in the newly adopted Constitution, it has thrown spanners into the works of the former Vice President, leaving the 2018 presidential candidate in a pole position to grab the opportunity of taking the main opposition to election against President Julius Maada Bio for the second time.

Article 61 (b) reads: For a Member to be eligible to be voted for, that Member must have been a registered paid up member of the Party for a continuous period of not less than five years.

According to The Exclusive Newspaper, sympathizers of Chief Samuel Sam Sumana have argued that this clause would only affect their flagbearer aspirant if it is deemed retrospective. According to them, this clause should be considered for events happening from now going forward.