Wife of the SLPP leader and presidential candidate, Fatima Bio, the National Chairman, Dr Prince Alex Harding, the Chief Electoral Commissioner and National Returning Officer, Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Mohamed Kenewui Konneh and others stand accused of imposing Julius Maada Bio on Sierra Leoneans as president.
The accusation emerged from the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party in a position statement issued last Friday 30 June 2023, following consultations.
The APC party in their position statement named the former Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Sengepoh Solomon Thomas among others as those who illegally imposed Julius Maada Bio on Sierra Leoneans as president. Considering the illegalities surrounding the imposition of the SLPP presidential candidate of the electorate, the statement categorically made known the opposition APC party’s non-participation in the governance of the SLPP-led administration, including the legislature and local councils, owing to the fact the election results have already been tempered with that gave the governing SLPP an unjust majority at all levels.
As a result of that, the APC party after several internal consultations with their members considering circumstances highlighted in their June 30 position statement, firmly insisted on a rerun of the election within six months.
The opposition party therefore called for the rerun of the election by credible individuals and institutions who will ensure a free, fear, credible and a transparent electoral process.
Advancing reason, the statement notes that: “APC unequivocally rejects the announced result of the recently concluded multi-tier elections in Sierra Leone, given the glaring irregularities and violations of established electoral laws and procedures.”
As a result, the party therefore demands the resignation of Konneh and all ECSL commissioners, based on demonstrated bias and deliberate failures in the discharge of their duties impartially, in the conduct of the just concluded June 24 polls.
The APC party position statement also called for the resignations of the Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, Major-General, Patrick Lavahun, Chief of Defence Staff of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Abdulai Caulker, National Coordinator, Francis Langumba Keili, the Chief of Staff of the Office of the National Security ONS and Chief Justice, Desmond Babatunda Edwards.
The opposition party position statement forementioned individuals have shown a clear disregard for their constitutional duties and have instead aligned themselves with the undemocratic aspirations of Bio.
The party vowed to engage international development partners to advocate for the imposition of travel bans on key individuals who played instrumental roles in stealing the mandate of the majority of Sierra Leoneans.
The statement called on all well-meaning Sierra Leoneans to play their part in resisting tyranny and fight for the restoration of democracy, civility, and good governance in Sierra Leone.
