Sierra Leone News: APC To Suspend U.K High Commissioner, Eddie Turay Over Anti-Party Statements

Secretariat of the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) Party has in a press release dated Wednesday 28th September 2016, ordered Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Edward Turay (also called Eddie Turay) to explain to the Party within seven (7) working days on why actions should not be taken against for engaging in actions they referred to as tantamount to anti-party activities.

In the press release, it is cited that the anti-party activities involved by HE Eddie Turay, who also is a strong member of the party, range from denouncing His Excellency the President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma the “Chairman and Leader for using his prerogative to appoint Party Comrades, and undermining the decisions of the National Delegates Conference which he attended.”

Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Edward Turay. Meanwhile, in the press statement, it could be recalled the HE Edward Turay had earlier using various media, in his statement “denounced His Excellency’s appointment of National Office holder of APC into various Ministerial positions.” He further maintained that holders of Executive positions should “choose between their Ministerial jobs and that of Executive Party positions.”

However, the release furthered “it is misleading for Comrade Turay to suggest that holding two offices he referred to is a conflict of interest.” He added by stating that the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone makes provisions for political parties to help in shaping the will of the people.

“Elected officers of political parties are therefore eligible to serve as ministers, starting with the President who is Leader and Chairman of the Party,” the release states.

ALL PEOPLES CONGRESS (APC) 

MOTTO: ACTION PROGRESS COMMITMENT

Press Statement From The All Peoples Congress (APC) Party National Secretariat

The attention of the All Peoples Congress (APC) has been drawn to a press statement issued by High Commissioner Edward Mohamed Turay, His Excellency’s appointed envoy to the Court of Saint James’ in London.

In the statement, Comrade Turay denounced His Excellency’s appointment of National Office Holders of the APC to Ministerial positions. He further maintains that holders of Executive positions should “Choose between their Ministerial jobs and that of Party Executive positions’. Who is he to give that ultimatum?

The Leadership of the APC is taken aback by Comrade Turay’s unguided outbursts using the social media and the print and electronic media to denounce a decision of the Party to elect persons who are eminently qualified to be Party National Executive members at a National Delegates Conference. The decision of this organ (National Delegates Conference) is final and if Turay believes the President who is Chairman and Leader of our Party should not appoint such Party office holders he should do it through channels laid down in the Party Constitution.

In the first place it is misleading for Comrade Turay to suggest that holding two positions he refers to is a “conflict of interest”. Where is the conflict? The Constitution of Sierra Leone makes provision for political parties to participate in shaping the will of the people. Elected officers of political parties are therefore eligible to serve as Ministries starting with President who is Leader and Chairman of the Party. Is Comrade Turay aware that the Prime Minister of the UK is the head of his political party?

The APC in governance since the late sixties at several stages in its history (whether in opposition or in government) had Ministers holding executive positions in the Party. Siaka Stevens was Leader and Secretary General, Joseph Saidu Momoh was Leader and Secretary General, S.I. Koroma-Vice President 1 and National Organizing and Propaganda Secretary and C.A. Kamara Taylor-Vice President 11 and National Secretary General.

His Excellency, the President who is also our Chairman and Leader attempted to divorce the position of Chairman and Leader from the Presidential Candidate Position. It was our learned Comrade (Turay and others) who took our Leader and others to court to reverse the decision. The Supreme Court in its wisdom did reverse the decision to divorce the two positions. That is why we are saddled with the Constitution which makes it mandatory for the Leader and Chairman to be the Presidential Candidate.

Did President Koroma ever complain that the appointed Ministers were derelict in the performance of their duties in the Party? Why is Comrade Turay attempting to incite discord in a Party that is united under a caring Leadership?

By his public statement of condemnation, Turay is not only denouncing the Party Leader but also the decision of the highest organ of the Party accusing them by implication of lack of proper judgment. Amb. Comrade Edward Turay is hereby reminded that he was at the National Delegates Conference of 2013 where these officials were duly elected. As former Secretary General one would have expected him to use acceptable and clearly defined channels of communication for suggesting a change. The Party Convention is pending and recommendations are invited from members for any amendment to the Constitution of the Party.

Consequently, Comrade Edward Turay is hereby ordered to explain to the Party within 7 working days from the date of this release why action should not be instituted against him for engaging in actions tantamount to anti-Party activities, ranging from denouncing HE the Chairman and Leader for using his prerogative to appoint Party Comrades, and undermining the decision of the National Delegates Conference which he attended.

Signed
Amb. Alhaji Osman Foday Yansaneh
National Secretary General