Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Chief Minister of Sierra Leone, David Moinina Sengeh has called on the All People’s Congress (APC) to assume leadership responsibilities instead of lamenting perceived injustices and attempting to manipulate certain sectors of governance.
Sengeh was specifically addressing comments made by Freetown City Mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr regarding the government’s districting plans. He emphasized that while the mayor, as a citizen, has the right to question government’s actions, she lacks the authority to challenge these decisions. “The press release issued was misguided and could lead to division,” Sengeh stated.
The Chief Minister’s comments were partly in response to allegations made by Abdul Kargbo, one of the opposition leaders in Parliament representing the APC.
Kargbo accused Sengeh of overstepping his bounds by questioning the representation of the APC in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament. Kargbo insisted that as an elected official, he is not accountable to Sengeh, who was appointed.
In an audio recording, Kargbo expressed his frustration, saying, “I made it categorically clear to him that as a Chief Minister, he has no right to regulate the speech of Members of Parliament.” He further warned Sengeh against engaging him on matters related to his representation.
Responding to Kargbo’s remarks, Sengeh asserted that the MP is indeed answerable to him as a citizen of Sierra Leone. “Every citizen has the right to call any member of parliament to order,” Sengeh remarked, stressing that Kargbo’s accountability extends beyond just the APC. “Honorable, you are answerable to me as a citizen of this country, not just as a Chief Minister,” he concluded.
This latest political feud between the APC and the Sierra Leone People’s Party-led government is ignited by plans made the government to add more cities and districts in the West African nation.
Early in June, the Local Government and Community Affairs Minister, Tamba Lamina announced that they are planning to add two more districts in the east and south and dividing the capital, Freetown into two and the Western Rural District into three.
Some members of the opposition have fumed over the decision stressing that the government is being manipulative in creating more constituencies in their strongholds while disrupting the Western Area which has been their stronghold for decades.
With Sierra Leone heading to the polls again in 2028, the political space is getting heated.
For More News And Analysis About Sierra-Leone Follow Africa-Press
