Vowing To Fight To The End… Samsumana Rubbishes APC’s Discriminatory Clauses
By James Kanyako
In the quest for the flagbearer position in the All People’s Congress party, the former Vice President, Alhaji Chief Sam Sumana, has declared his intention in taking the main opposition Party; the All People’s Congress, back to power in 2028.
Mr Frederick Mac Johnson, head of the Sam 28 media, who doubles as the co-chair in his opening statement, started with a Christian prayer, followed by a Muslim prayer. Mr Johnson gave a brief summary of the conference, stating that ‘Sam 28’ is a movement, and the gathering was to throw light on the agony within the party.
One of which, he said, is the constitutional right to lead. He went on to say that they believe the constitution of Sierra Leone Act number 6 of 1991 is the supreme document that determines who is qualified and what is required of them, subject to section 41 of the 1991 constitution.
He added that they believe section 56 (b) of the 2022 All People’s Congress Constitution is discriminatory in its effect and runs contrary and at variance with the 1991 constitution (section 41 of the 1991 constitution).
Hon. Chief Sam Sumana started by saying that in the acceptance of the doctrine of democracy, Sierra Leone is now among the civilised countries in the world, heeding to the dictates of democracy. He added that the rule of law and the separation of powers have to prevail and be implemented with equality for everyone in whatever we are doing.
The former Vice President stated that the rule of law should prevail as enshrined in the sacred document of the land (the Constitution), which stands supreme to any other document that is in Sierra Leone.
He went on to say that the Constitution of Sierra Leone makes it abundantly clear that there is no other document that should supersede the constitution of Sierra Leone, referencing article 171 sub section 15 of the 1991 Constitution.
He furthered that in adherence to the said clause, no political party should have the right or the tenacity to have a Constitution that will supersede the National Constitution of Sierra Leone, that act is ultra vires to the constitution of Sierra Leone.
According to Chief Sam Sumana, he is the second generation of the All People’s Congress, disclosing that his father, the late Chief Sam Sumana, was a member and founding father of the Kono progressive movement, which later joined the All People’s Congress leading of the party in the 1967 elections.
He highlighted how his parents took bread and butter from their table for the sustenance of the All People’s Congress, and recalled how his parents lost their lives for the sake of the party.
He stated that everything he has said epitomises that he was born APC and that he will live APC and he will die APC. He stressed that he will say no to anyone who shall stand in his way to say he is not an All People’s Congress member.
As a religious tolerance man, he was not taught how to get revenge, but to accept others and forgive them. He ended by saying that as a peace ambassador, he will always be available to serve and to bring unity among the All People’s Congress members, once his party (APC) resolves the issue with him.
