By: Yusuf Ibrahim Kamara
The All People’s Congress (APC) has formally challenged the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) over what it describes as an unverified and unsubstantiated allegation against its Koinadugu District Chairman, Hon. Lahai Marah.
In a strongly worded letter dated 18th November 2025, addressed to the Executive Secretary of the PPRC, the APC said it is unaware of any authenticated incident that would constitute a breach of Section 39(1) of the Political Parties Act No. 25 of 2022. The Party emphasized that as a responsible institution guided by the 1991 Constitution and the Political Parties Act, it treats compliance issues with the utmost seriousness.
However, the APC insisted that no allegation should be entertained or acted upon without proper verification, stressing that any evidence presented must be complete, unedited, and reliable.
The party raised concerns over what it termed a growing trend of doctored audio recordings, manipulated media artefacts, and misrepresented snippets of conversations aimed at creating political tension. It urged the PPRC to exercise the highest level of scrutiny before taking regulatory action.
The APC also questioned what it views as selective enforcement, noting that similar or more serious public statements made by members of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), including remarks that could potentially affect national security and social cohesion, have not received the same urgency or sanction from the Commission.
The party formally requested two key actions from the PPRC:
- Provision of full, unedited, and verifiable evidence, including metadata, upon which the allegation against Hon. Lahai Marah is based.
- A guarantee that no fine or sanction will be imposed until the evidence is shared, authenticated, and the APC is given the opportunity to respond.
Upon receipt of verified information, the APC says it will trigger its internal disciplinary mechanisms in line with its Constitution.
Despite its concerns, the APC reaffirmed its commitment to the Joint Agreement signed on 11th November 2025, emphasizing the need to preserve political stability, promote tolerance, and avoid unnecessary escalation.
The party concluded by expressing confidence that the PPRC will handle the matter in a manner consistent with its legal mandate and the expectations of impartial democratic oversight.