Mohamed Bangura Claims SLPP Members Lobby Him Over Parliamentary Bills
Hon. Mohamed Bangura, an opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Member of Parliament, has claimed that members of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) lobby him for support on key parliamentary decisions, including legislation before Parliament.
Speaking on Liberty Online TV, Bangura said members of the ruling party approach him because of his position as a parliamentarian.
“They lobby me and tell me why I wouldn’t support the bill or why I would,” he said.
Bangura also criticised his own party’s leadership, claiming that it had not invited him to a meeting to discuss developments surrounding the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
“If my own party leadership doesn’t call me at a meeting to discuss about what is happening in Parliament about the bill up until this point, then I have nothing to do,” he said.
During Parliament’s consideration of the bill, most APC MPs walked out over a dispute concerning the voting threshold. However, Bangura and fellow APC MP Alfred Ayodele Thompson remained in the chamber and supported the bill.
Explaining his position, Bangura said parliamentary business involved lobbying and discussions across party lines. He added that he had engaged fellow APC members on provisions he supported, particularly those relating to independent candidates and allowing citizens with dual citizenship to contest elections.
He said he had also discussed the provisions with members of both the APC and SLPP, explaining his position and reasoning that some had understood his arguments.
Interesting! has he come to his senses?