Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Secretary General of the All People’s Congress (APC), Lansana Dumbuya, has explained the current position of former Vice President Dr. Samuel Sam-Sumana under the party’s constitution.
This comes amid ongoing questions around his return to the party and whether he can contest for leadership in the future.
He stated that Sam-Sumana is a member of the APC, and that the party holds no personal issue against him. However, he made it clear that the party will continue to follow its constitution when it comes to decisions about leadership eligibility or internal roles.
Under the APC constitution, there are rules for how a suspended or expelled member can return to the party. These rules apply to Sam-Sumana as well. The Secretary General explained that when someone who was once removed from the party wants to return, they must follow the process outlined in Section 13 of the constitution. This includes formal readmission procedures. He emphasized that the constitution does not allow someone to skip that process just because they were a high-profile figure in the past.
While confirming that Sam-Sumana is a member, he also pointed out that returning to the party does not automatically make him eligible to contest for leadership. The party constitution includes a rule that any member must have served five uninterrupted years before qualifying to run for key positions like party flagbearer. Based on this, the Secretary General advised that Sam-Sumana should not go ahead with any personal political campaigns under the APC name until the issue is fully addressed.
Despite this, Sam-Sumana has now officially declared his intention to contest for the APC flagbearer position in the 2028 general elections. Speaking on Wednesday, August 3, 2025, he publicly announced his ambition and reaffirmed his loyalty to the party. During his statement, he also raised concerns about the current APC constitution, which he believes places limitations on members seeking leadership roles.
His declaration adds a new layer to the ongoing discussions around his eligibility. Though he is now a registered member of the party, his ability to contest will depend on whether he meets the constitutional requirement of five continuous years of membership or whether any changes or legal interpretations allow for flexibility.
Sam-Sumana has already gained support from parts of Kono District, where local groups have been calling for him to be given the chance to lead the party. His return and recent declaration have drawn attention both inside and outside the APC, especially as preparations begin for the next election cycle.
The Secretary General also said that if any future decision, including a legal judgment or constitutional change, affects this interpretation, he will respect it. But for now, he said the rules stand as they are, and they will not be bent for any individual.
The party says it will continue to operate by the constitution and internal processes, and no final decision will be made on leadership roles without going through the proper channels.
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