By Hassan Osman Kargbo
A new chapter has opened in Sierra Leone’s political arena as former Vice President, Chief Alhaji Samuel Sam-Sumana, has vowed to challenge his own party, the All People’s Congress (APC), through both the courts and the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC). His declaration, made at a well-attended press conference at the Radisson Blu Conference Hall in Freetown on Wednesday 3 September 2025, sets the stage for what could become one of the most intense internal battles in APC’s history.
Addressing all presence at Raddison Blu, Chief Sam-Sumana told journalists and supporters about his ambition if the APC party fails to do what he called a level playing field for everyone, accusing the party’s executives of political injustice against him. In words that struck a chord with many, he declared, “They kicked me out of my father’s house (APC).” For him, the APC is not just a political platform but a legacy, a home he claims to have served with loyalty and dedication for decades.
The statement, coupled with his resolve to pursue the matter legally, signals a direct confrontation with the party leadership. “This time,” he said firmly, “I am ready to take the bull by the horns.”
Notwithstanding, Sam-Sumana’s fallout with the APC is not new. His removal as Vice President in 2015, followed by strained relations with party leadership, left scars that have never fully healed. While he has often emphasized his loyalty to the APC, repeatedly declaring that he was “born APC and will die APC,” his relationship with the party hierarchy has been marked by mistrust and accusations of betrayal.
His ambitions to take legal action represent a significant escalation. What was once a quiet tension now threatens to spill into a full-blown legal and political battle that could test both the party’s cohesion and its public image.
The former Vice President appeared determined yet disappointed whiles explaining to the public. Supporters packed the hall, applauding as he outlined his grievances. His message was clear: he feels wronged, sidelined, and unjustly treated by a party he has long considered his political home.
“This is not about me alone,” he said, “but about justice, fairness, and the future of the APC. If they can do this to me, then no member is safe from similar injustice.”
The APC leadership now faces a difficult dilemma. On one hand, ignoring Sam-Sumana’s claims could deepen divisions and alienate sections of the party base. On the other hand, engaging in a protracted legal battle could distract from preparations for future elections and expose the party’s internal fractures to public scrutiny.
Political Analysts suggest that the executives are unlikely to back down easily. Many within the party’s leadership see Sam-Sumana’s moves as a direct challenge to their authority, and the coming weeks could reveal whether compromise is possible or if confrontation is inevitable.
The stakes go beyond Sam-Sumana’s personal grievances. The outcome of this dispute could shape the APC’s unity heading into the next electoral cycle. A fractured party risks losing its ability to mount a strong challenge to the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). For many supporters, therefore, the battle between Sam-Sumana and the party executives is not just about individual justice but about the political future of Sierra Leone’s main opposition.
Also, some observers note that the PPRC’s involvement will be crucial. The commission, tasked with regulating political parties and resolving disputes, will have to navigate carefully to ensure fairness while avoiding being drawn too deeply into partisan wrangling.
Additional, this fight appears deeply personal yet politically significant. His metaphor of being “kicked out of his father’s house” speaks to a sense of betrayal and exclusion. But his readiness to take the matter to the PPRC or the court shows a man determined to reclaim his place and redefine his legacy within the APC.
For the APC, the challenge is clear: either find a path to reconcile with its former Vice President or prepare for a bruising battle that could weaken the party at a critical time.
As the dust settles from Wednesday’s press conference, one thing is certain: the confrontation between Sam-Sumana and the APC executives is far from over. It is a battle that promises to test loyalties, stretch legal boundaries, and shape the political destiny of Sierra Leone’s opposition party in the months ahead.
