By Josephine Sesay
The High Court of Sierra Leone has ordered the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) to conduct delegate elections across all districts of the country within 21 days.
The order was issued by Justice Adrian J. Fisher of High Court No. 1 on Monday, August 31, 2026, following submissions from both sides in a case challenging the legitimacy of the party’s current national executive leadership.
The court also extended an interim order restraining the former APC National Chairman and Secretary-General from presenting themselves as the party’s national officials.
The case stems from an argument by the plaintiff that the tenure of the APC’s current national executive had expired and that, under the party’s constitution, the officials no longer had the legal authority to continue managing its affairs.
Justice Fisher noted that the questions surrounding the validity of the executives’ tenure and their authority to administer the party would be fully determined when the substantive case is heard.
Despite restricting the former National Chairman and Secretary-General from holding themselves out as national officials, the court made an exception to ensure that the operations of the APC do not come to a standstill.
Justice Fisher ruled that the two officials may continue providing administrative support to the party secretariat because they remain signatories to the APC’s bank accounts.
The judge explained that allowing them to perform this limited function was necessary to maintain the party’s day-to-day operations while the legal dispute is being resolved.
During the proceedings, lawyers representing the defendants told the court that completing delegate elections across the country within 21 days could prove difficult.
They argued that the APC’s electoral process involves several stages, including the publication of a list of eligible voters. Party members must then be given an opportunity to submit comments, objections and petitions before the elections can proceed.
In response, Justice Fisher indicated that the APC could return to court to seek additional time if the party is unable to complete the process within the stipulated period.
However, the judge made clear that any request for an extension must be supported by reasonable and sufficient grounds.
The High Court has adjourned the matter to October 19, 2026, when the substantive case is expected to commence.
The ruling comes at a significant time for the APC, as the party continues to navigate internal questions surrounding its leadership structure and the process of electing its delegates and national executives.
The court’s directive now places the party under a 21-day timeframe to begin and complete the nationwide delegate election process, unless an extension is subsequently granted by the court.
The substantive hearing in October is expected to provide further clarity on the legal questions surrounding the tenure and authority of the party’s leadership.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 2nd September 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
