A serious situation is unfolding within the All People’s Congress (APC) that requires urgent attention. Chapters in Boston, New York, and others soon to be identified have reported troubling irregularities in the party’s membership registration and verification portal. Verified member records previously confirmed have reportedly been deleted or altered from the backend of the system without explanation or authorization. In some cases, entirely new names have been added without the knowledge of the chapter presidents or those charged with the responsibility to upload membership information or facilitate the registration and verification process for their respective chapters. This is not a technical glitch. This is a data integrity crisis. It raises questions about the credibility of our systems and the safety of our members’ personal information.
What was promised as a straightforward and credible process to verify and organize membership has now exposed a deeper issue. Members who submitted their data in good faith are now finding their names missing or their information altered. This is not only alarming, it is deeply damaging to the trust that forms the foundation of any political institution. Manipulating or interfering with someone’s personal information without consent is more than an internal issue. It has serious legal consequences under data protection and cybercrime laws in multiple jurisdictions.
In Sierra Leone, the Cyber Security and Crime Act of 2021 criminalizes unauthorized access, interference, and deletion of computer data. Violations carry penalties of up to five years imprisonment and fines of up to Le 500 million. The Act also addresses identity theft as a serious offense. In the United States, where many of our diaspora members reside, unauthorized tampering with digital records is a violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act. Penalties range from ten to fifteen years in prison, plus civil liabilities. In the United Kingdom, the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR impose strict penalties for unlawful access, misuse, or alteration of personal data. Section 170 of the Act treats such behaviour as a criminal offense, punishable by unlimited fines and up to two years imprisonment. At the international level, both Sierra Leone and the United States are parties to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime which enables international cooperation in prosecuting digital offenses. If any members in the European Union are affected, enforcement may also fall under the General Data Protection Regulation, which permits fines of up to €20 million or 4 percent of global annual turnover.
These legal frameworks make one thing clear. This issue must be taken seriously. Not only to protect the party, but to protect the rights and dignity of our members across the world. I raise this concern not out of division but out of loyalty to the APC and belief in its potential. Diaspora members have been among the most committed to the party’s growth, fundraising, mobilization, and international visibility. They deserve the assurance that their information is secure and their membership is respected.
That is why I am respectfully urging the National Secretary General and the relevant administrative and technical teams to take immediate corrective measures. A full forensic audit of the membership portal should be conducted. All deleted or altered records must be reviewed and restored. If any system vulnerabilities or internal misconduct are discovered, appropriate accountability must follow. Additionally, the party should provide a formal update and reassurance to all chapters, domestic and diaspora, that this matter is being addressed with transparency and seriousness.
Moreover, I strongly hope the party leadership will work closely with the APC legal team to seek urgent legal advice on the risks and potential consequences arising from this situation. The legal liabilities, especially across multiple jurisdictions such as the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union, are real and significant. Early legal guidance will help the party understand the implications of these breaches, mitigate exposure, and take proactive steps to protect the organization from further reputational and legal harm.
We are approaching a critical period in the political life of the APC. As we prepare for 2028, our strength will be determined by the integrity of our systems and the trust of our members. This incident, if handled responsibly, can serve as a turning point in how we modernize, protect, and govern our internal processes. Let this moment lead us toward solutions, not suspicion. Toward unity, not uncertainty. And toward accountability that strengthens, not weakens, the legacy of our great political institution. Now is the time to act, not only to resolve this issue but to affirm who we are and the standards we uphold as a party committed to progress and good governance.
