BY: Hassan Alimamy Kamara
The Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC) which was established pursuant to the court order of justice Adrian J Fischer, dated 28th April 2021, that is charged with the responsibility to man the overall affairs of the party until the first National Delegates Conference (NDC), has through the fourteen-man in the ITGC representing the All People’s Congress (APC) party fired an ultimatum notice to the chairman of the committee, Alfred Peter Conteh and his cohorts to address the pending issues affecting the party to go ahead with its party activities.
Explaining the reason behind the ultimatum in a press release read by the Secretary General of ITGC, honourable Abdul Kargbo during a party stakeholder meeting with the press on Friday 11th November 2022, at the party headquarters Old Railway Line, Brookfields Freetown, he mentioned that the chairman of the ITGC, Alfred Peter Conteh has been publishing several misleading press releases purportedly on behalf of the ITGC members, which according to him it is an anti-party activity. He added that it is strange and outrageous on their side for the chairman who took the party to court in his view for failing to adhere to democratic principles has with impunity exhibited the attributes of a reckless dictator.
On such a footing, he said it is obviously clear that the actions manifested by Alfred Peter Conteh and his cohorts are paid agents activities to restrain the APC party from winning the 2023 elections and shall henceforth be treated as such, he expressed. With this, he said as representatives of the party they say “enough is enough” to the wrong deeds of Alfred Peter Conteh and for him not to hold the party to ransom. For that reason, he mentioned that the time is now to redeem the APC party from the dictatorship hands of Alfred Peter Conteh.
To express their dissatisfaction and ensure that the party is on course to contest for the 2023 elections with all differences being settled and that the party speaks with one voice, Alfred Peter Conteh and his cohorts, as well as the general public has been notified that all appointments made by the chairman are illegal and a nullity, and therefore, call on party members and state institutions not to deal with any of the said appointees in any capacity on behalf of the ITGC with immediate effect, he said. And that the chairman submits the ten- member Alfred Peter Conteh component of the Transitional Interim Independent Electoral Management Committee (TIIEMC) for the conduct of the lower-level elections within 24hours; failing which he said the ITGC shall decide in accordance with paragraph 90(10) (6) of the orders of justice Adrian J Fischer.
In addition, he also asked that Alfred Peter Conteh submits the two members of the Alfred Peter Conteh component of the District Registration Teams for the verification and registration of new members of the party with immediate effect, otherwise, he said the ITGC decision shall apply. Moving forward, he also noted that members of the party should seize cooperating with any form of illegal and unilateral activity organized or conducted by Alfred Peter Conteh, including his proposed registration of members. Having said that, he furthered that the ITGC wants to inform the party members that the Committee under the supervision of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), shall commence the verification of party membership and registration of new members in due course.
After his explanation with regard the actions being taken against the chairman of ITGC, honourable Abdul Kargbo said Alfred Peter Conteh’s behaviour is not only a slap on the APC, but said also on state institutions who cannot contain him. He added that as about eleven days wasted out of the 60days slated to do the lower level elections, he assured that they will engage the court to do an adjustment on the 20 days Registration and verification period taking into account the urgency of the party. “We are going forward as a party and no turning back,” he said.
Making statement at the meeting was the Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC) chairman, Kasho J Hollande Cole, he said Sierra Leone needs deliverance and that the only party to deliver the country is the All People’s Congress APC party. He said the chairman has done contempt of court with impunity and it is about time they as party stakeholders to stand firm and redeem their party from the hands of a dictator.
