By Hassan Solokoh Bockarie
Former Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Ibrahim Rassin Bundu, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC), demanding a substantive ruling on a complaint challenging the extension of the All People’s Congress (APC) executive tenure.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the New Brookfields Hotel, Bundu warned that failure by the Commission to deliver a ruling within the stipulated timeframe would compel him to seek legal intervention.
Hon. Bundu, who served as a Member of Parliament from 2002 to 2018, argued that both the APC and the PPRC lack the legal authority to extend the tenure of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Advisory Committee (NAC) beyond February 18, 2025.
He cited Section 39(5) of the PPRC Act No. 25 of 2022, stating, “A political party shall not extend the tenure of any of its executive for more than six months,” emphasizing that the provision imposes a strict ceiling rather than granting discretionary powers.
Referencing Article 5 of the APC Constitution adopted on March 7, 2022, Bundu maintained that the party’s constitution is supreme and binding on all members and organs, but only within the limits of national laws. “The supremacy clause does not give room for unconstitutional extensions,” he said.
He further pointed to Article 20(g) of the APC Constitution, explaining that the National Advisory Committee (NAC), the second highest decision making body of the party can only assume the functions of the National Delegates Conference under clearly defined “special and emergency situations,” such as war, natural disasters, or a declared state of emergency.
“None of these conditions exist in Sierra Leone today,” Bundu stated. “Therefore, neither the APC nor the PPRC has the authority to justify extending the tenure of the current executive under the guise of emergency provisions.”
He disclosed that during deliberations before the PPRC, both parties were advised to submit names of credible individuals for the possible establishment of a caretaker body, a proposal his side complied with in good faith.
However, Bundu criticized the PPRC Chairman for issuing directives allowing the current APC executive to continue managing party affairs and conduct lower-level elections without a formal ruling. “Such directives, without a substantive ruling, amount to a blatant violation of both the PPRC Act of 2022 and the APC March 7th 2022 Constitution,” he asserted.
Hon. Bundu also questioned the silence of key institutional representatives within the Commission, including the Sierra Leone Bar Association and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress nominees, as well as the Chief Electoral Commissioner. “We are demanding accountability and adherence to the law,” he said, reiterating that the Commission has seven days to respond or face court action.
