The High Court Order for the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party to publish the final draft of their constitution has been complied with. The party has finally decided to get rid of the selection clause that empowers the National Advisory Committee to select/elect the party’s flag bearer.
In Article 53 of the final draft constitution, the party’s flag bearer shall now be elected by the National Delegates Conference. Whoever is elected party flag bearer automatically becomes the party’s National Leader.
According to the party’s final draft constitution, “The flag bearer shall maintain such position (National Leader) if he is elected President of Sierra Leone but shall relinquish such position if not elected in accordance with Article 19 of the final draft constitution”.
According to the final draft constitution, “The Presidential candidate shall upon consultation and approval of the National Advisory Committee choose his Running Mate who shall become the party’s National Deputy Leader and shall maintain such position if he is elected Vice President of Sierra Leone but shall relinquish such position if not elected in accordance with Article 19 of the final draft constitution.
The National Chairman shall become the Chief Executive Officer of the party. He shall summon and preside over meetings of the National Delegates’ Conference, the National Advisory Committee and any other party meetings where he is present.
From all indications, it appears as if the APC will conduct their party’s National Delegates’ Conference in Port Loko next month. So far, Dr. Samura Kamara is in pole position to become the party’s standard bearer in 2023. His main challenger, Chief Samuel Sam Sumana is still battling to get his application to rejoin the party approved.
According to Article 61 (b) of the final draft APC constitution, “For a member to be eligible to be voted for as a Presidential candidate, that member must have been a registered paid up member of the party for a continuous period of not less than five years”.
“Chief Sam Sumana’s application to rejoin the party is not yet on the table…We will discuss that at a later date”, a party spokesman told the Global Times last night.
