APC Condemns Government's Move to Create New Districts and Cities

by Chrispus C Macauley

The main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) has fiercely condemned the government's announcement on the creation of new districts and cities, calling the move undemocratic, illegal, and politically motivated.

In a strongly worded statement released Wednesday, 28th May 2025, the APC accused the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Tamba Lamin, of making a reckless and unconstitutional pronouncement during an event in Moyamba. The announcement reportedly involves the creation of two new districts, Bandajuma and Kpangoma, and the establishment of new cities, including Lungi Township.

The APC claims the move lacks statutory backing, national consultation, and credible census data. The party described it as a dangerous provocation intended to manipulate the country’s governance structure for partisan gain.

“We will not sit by and allow the government to distort our national administrative and electoral systems through illegal and premature actions cloaked as development,” the statement read.

The opposition party criticized the ongoing census process, stating that it lacks transparency and inclusion. According to the APC, there has been no publication of a final project document, validated data, or preliminary results.

Furthermore, the APC claims it has been deliberately excluded from the Census Technical Committee.

“The government has preconceived plans to rig the census and restructure national boundaries for political interests,” the statement added, warning that such actions threaten the integrity and credibility of the entire process.

The APC also issued a stern warning against any administrative reforms, such as creating new districts or cities, before the conclusion of a credible census. The party vowed to resist such efforts, labeling them a blatant attempt to manipulate future electoral boundaries and parliamentary seat allocations in favor of the ruling party.

Calling for national resistance, the APC urged citizens to “come out in their numbers, peacefully and in full force,” to demonstrate against what it described as a dangerous manipulation of the country’s governance and electoral structures.

The party also appealed to Statistics Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Development Planning, and international development partners—including UNDP, the US Embassy, the EU, ECOWAS, and others to closely monitor what it sees as blatant interference in the census process.

Signed by its National Secretary General, Lansana Dumbuya, the APC demanded an immediate retraction of the Minister’s statement and full clarification from the Cabinet.

“Sierra Leone is not a playground for political experiments,” the statement concluded. “We will defend its integrity with every ounce of our strength.”