While The APC Creates Bottlenecks For Sam-Sumana, SLPP Paves a Level Playing Field For KKY
The APC continues to create quagmires for Sam Sumana, while the SLPP has seemingly established a level playing field for Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella (KKY) to contest for the presidency.
Politics is a game of numbers, and it seems the SLPP recognizes this fact.
I might be wrong, but perhaps one of the reasons the APC amended its party constitution to include a five-year membership requirement before contesting for any major position was to deliberately block Sam Sumana’s path.
If you carefully examine the circumstances surrounding Sam’s return to the APC, you’ll see the shenanigans at play.
The letter given to him was very clear: he was readmitted, not reinstated.
This distinction is critical because it means Sam rejoined the party as a new member.
And, according to the party’s constitution, for any new member to contest, they must have been part of the party for at least five years.
By that letter, Sam would only qualify to contest after five years—a clear strategic move.
The APC seems to be setting these standards without realizing that Sam Sumana remains a dominant force in Kono, a district that has historically been a key determinant in presidential elections.
On the other hand, for the SLPP, the moment KKY joined the party, he was granted the right to contest without such barriers.
This reflects the SLPP’s willingness to adapt for political advantage, prioritizing numbers and strategy over-restrictive rules.