By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The All Peoples Congress (APC) Party has issued a scathing condemnation of what it describes as a “reckless, irresponsible, and politically motivated” pronouncement by the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Tamba Lamin. The statement, made during the ongoing Civic Day Series in Moyamba, included a declaration regarding the creation of two new districts—Bandajuma and Kpangoma—and the establishment of new cities, including the Lungi Township.
The APC has characterized the move as a blatant attempt to manipulate the country’s administrative and electoral framework for partisan advantage. According to the party in a press release dated 29 May 2025, the announcement was made without proper national consultation, statutory authority, or credible demographic data, calling it a “dangerous provocation” that threatens Sierra Leone’s democratic integrity.
“This misguided declaration is nothing short of a calculated effort to distort our governance system,” the APC stated in a release. “We will not sit by while this government tampers with our national administrative and electoral structures under the guise of development.”
The opposition party expressed grave concern about the long-term implications of the announcement, warning that it could set a precedent for further illegal alterations to Sierra Leone’s democratic systems. “Today it is two new districts; tomorrow it may be the erosion of your voting rights,” the party warned, urging citizens to remain vigilant.
In a bold statement of intent, the APC announced that it is prepared to challenge the government’s decision through every available legal and diplomatic channel—both domestically and internationally. The party called for an immediate retraction of the minister’s statement and demanded clarification from the Cabinet.
“The APC is determined to stand in defense of democratic order, peace, and constitutional governance. We will resist any illegitimate attempt to redraw the map of Sierra Leone for political gain,” the party emphasized.
The APC also called on all Sierra Leoneans to prepare for a national response. It urged citizens to stand up peacefully and in large numbers to demonstrate their rejection of what it labeled a dangerous manipulation of governance and electoral structures.
The statement further criticized the timing of the announcement, which coincides with the ongoing civic and census processes. It accused the government of attempting to interfere with evidence-based policymaking by announcing structural changes before credible census data is available.
“This government has shown it is not interested in evidence-based policymaking, but in manufacturing outcomes to consolidate its grip on power,” the APC declared.
The party issued a strong appeal to national institutions and international development partners, including Statistics Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Development Planning, UNDP, UNFPA, the US Embassy, the British High Commission, the EU, ECOWAS, the Irish Embassy, and the African Union. It urged them to take note of what it described as blatant interference in the national census process and governance structures.
“Sierra Leone is not a playground for political experiments,” the statement concluded. “This country belongs to all of us, and we will defend its integrity with every ounce of our strength.”
The APC’s reaction signals growing political tension around the management of national resources and institutions, as the party positions itself as a key watchdog over constitutional governance in Sierra Leone.
