Opposition Leader Refutes Chief Minister’s Claims on Party Deregistration

Opposition Leader in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has firmly rejected claims by Chief Minister Dr. Moinina David Sengeh that the All People’s Congress (APC) advocated for the deregistration of smaller political parties that fail to secure parliamentary seats in two consecutive elections.

Speaking to Truth Media, Hon. Kargbo described the allegation as “the most insincere” he has heard, clarifying that the matter does not fall under the responsibility of the APC. He stressed that both the APC and the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) were signatories to all 80 recommendations on parliamentary reforms, adding that the decisions were jointly agreed upon.

He explained that the introduction of the Proportional Representation (PR) system, initiated by the SLPP, has significantly reduced the chances of smaller parties gaining parliamentary representation. “With this structure of PR, independent candidates and smaller parties will not be able to secure seats,” Hon. Kargbo said, noting that while the system aims to ensure proportionality, it also presents practical challenges.

According to him, lowering the percentage threshold to allow broader representation would require an increase in the number of parliamentary seats, which is not feasible under the current framework. He emphasized that Parliament is already operating at full capacity and that the APC should not be blamed for the outcomes of the PR system.

The opposition leader’s remarks come amid growing concerns over smaller political parties’ access to legislative representation under the ongoing reforms, while reaffirming the APC’s commitment to fair, transparent, and lawful parliamentary processes.