Freetown, 12th August, 2026 – The opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) has strongly distanced itself from the purported passage of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, insisting that the process was unconstitutional and procedurally flawed.
The controversy erupted after the Speaker of Parliament ruled on August 10 that the Bill had passed by a simple majority, while acknowledging that his decision remained subject to interpretation by the Supreme Court. The APC argues that this ruling contradicts Section 108(2)(b) of the Constitution, which requires a two‑thirds majority of all Members of Parliament for any constitutional amendment. With 149 MPs, at least 100 votes were needed. Only 96 members voted in favour.
“The Speaker had previously recognised the two‑thirds requirement. His reversal and decision to permit passage by a simple majority created a serious constitutional inconsistency,” the APC said in a statement signed by National Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya, Esq.
The party stressed that constitutional safeguards cannot be displaced by a ruling from the Chair, especially when the Speaker himself admitted that the matter awaits judicial interpretation. It further warned that allowing amendments to pass without the required threshold undermines the supremacy of the Constitution, which Section 171 declares as the highest law of the land.
APC Members of Parliament staged a walkout during the proceedings, refusing to lend legitimacy to what they described as an unlawful process. “The APC neither authorised nor participated in the purported passage of the Bill,” the statement read.
The party has called on the Government and Parliament to ensure strict compliance with constitutional provisions, emphasising that no political party, Speaker, or institution stands above the Constitution. It urged that no amendment be treated as valid until the Supreme Court provides clarity on the voting threshold.
