As Gazette Rules Become Law, APC Factions Set For Lower Level Elections

various rival factions in the main opposition All people’s Congress (APC) are gearing up for the lower-level elections after the gazetted rules for the internal elections became law.

Reports are that the various rival factions within the main elections opposition APC are led by the 2018 presidential candidate, Dr Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara, former Vice President Samuel Sam Sumana, Dr Richard Konteh, Alimamy Petito Koroma, Alhaji Ibrahim Kemoh Sesay, Vandy Momoh, Kelfala Marah amongst other faction leaders.

The lower-level elections, which determine the number of delegates at the national delegates’ conference, involve serious political horse-trading wherein political interests are compromised for the flag-bearer election at the convention that follows the lower-level elections.

Though there are many rival factions in the APC, many are convinced that the fierce rivalry for the June 2023 presidential candidacy is between Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara from Karene District in the North-West Region and Samuel Sam Sumana from Kono District in the Eastern Region.

The Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) directed in the gazetted rules the registration of new members for a certain period before the commencement of the lower-level elections in a bid to create a level playing field for all aspirants.

The would-be new registered members, according to the gazetted rules, would also be qualified to vote and be voted for in all Wards elections, which is very critical in the lower level elections It could be recalled that rules were gazetted immediately after the Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC) accepted the directives of PPRC on the proposed rules for the lower level elections as well as the national delegates conference that would usher in new party executives.

Before the final copy of the rules was gazetted there were many objectors from party members, notably, on issues of membership and nomination fees which were accepted by the ITGC The interim Secretary General, Hon. Abdul Kargbo called on party members and supporters to discourage violence and embrace peace during the new registration exercise and the lower-level elections.