By Kemo Cham
A High Court judge has slammed a temporary injunction on a mini convention of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) slated for this weekend.
Members of the National Reformation Movement (NRM), a pressure seeking reforms within the party, filed for the injunction to halt to meeting scheduled to take place in Port Loko from January 10 to 12, citing constitutional breaches.
Among other things, the group calling itself ‘Concerned Members’ of the APC claimed the party’s leadership failed to do the necessary consultations in preparation for the convention. They specifically noted that lower level elections that should be conducted have not been done.
Importantly, the group is concerned that copies of the party’s draft constitution up for discussion at the meeting have not been shared to members, and it therefore fears that the whole meeting has been arranged to influence the outcome of the discussion.
High Court judge, Komba Kamanda, ruled on Friday that the meeting cannot be held until a hearing on the argument is done. The matter was adjourned to January 17.
The petitioners were represented by Lawyer Hindolo Gevao.
The APC is yet to react to the court’s decision.
However, on another front, the party appeared to score victory.
NRM filed its complaint with both the court and the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC). The PPRC, in a separate ruling on Friday, dismissed the petition, declaring that the petitioners lacked the locus standing to bring up the case.
The Commission in a statement said the applicants weren’t qualified to bring up such an application against the party because none of its members were executive members of the party.
Copyright (c) 10/01/2020 Politico Online
