By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, March 3, 2026:The All Peoples Congress (APC) has restated its decision to withdraw participation from Parliament and Local Councils nationwide, citing what it describes as the Government’s disregard for agreed electoral reforms under the Tripartite Committee framework.
In a press statement issued from the party’s headquarters, APC confirmed that its leadership and Negotiating Team attended a meeting convened by the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) at Brookfields Hotel, Freetown. The session was attended by the Attorney General, representatives of ECOWAS, and other international partners, and focused on reviewing the implementation of recommendations from the Agreement for National Unity.
Disputed Appointment
The APC expressed strong opposition to the appointment of Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL). The party argued that Alpha’s role in the contested 2023 elections undermines public confidence and directly contradicts the spirit and sequencing of the Tripartite reform commitments.
The APC emphasized that its withdrawal from governance is not driven by partisan interest but by a “principled commitment to electoral integrity, constitutional governance, and the preservation of democratic legitimacy.” The party insists it will only re-engage once meaningful steps are taken to restore confidence in the reform process, including Alpha’s removal from office.
Despite its firm stance, the APC reiterated its commitment to peaceful, lawful, and democratic methods in defending what it calls the sovereign will of the people of Sierra Leone. The statement was signed by Lansana Dumbuya, Esq., National Secretary-General of the APC.
The APC’s renewed withdrawal highlights deep political tensions over electoral reforms, with the party insisting that credible governance cannot resume until confidence in the electoral process is restored.