By Musa Paul Feika
The opposition All People’s Congress (APC) has on Tuesday 5th May, 2026, announced its decision to return to governance, including participation in Parliament, following recent engagements with the government and international moral guarantors.
Addressing members of the press, the Parliamentary spokesman of APC Dr. Hon. Umpha Sorie Gbessay Koroma in the princint of Parliament emphasized that their return is guided by national interest, constitutional responsibility, and commitments arising from the communiqué reached after high-level interventions. “We call on our supporters and the general public to listen to the leadership of the party and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament,” the spokesperson stated.
“This decision is not based on media narratives or external pressure, but on a structured agreement aimed at national unity and democratic stability, Dr. Hon. Koroma asserted.
The Leader of the Opposition party Hon. Abdul Kargbo expressed appreciation to fellow Members of Parliament (MPs) for their discipline and cooperation during the period of boycott, describing their conduct as “commendable and principled during a very difficult time.”
He explained that the decision to return follows the outcome of engagements with moral guarantors, which resulted in an eight-point communiqué.
According to him, part of that agreement requires Parliament to play its constitutional role, particularly in providing oversight over electoral management bodies. “Now that we have an agreement for national unity, Parliament must function effectively. Oversight is critical, especially regarding institutions responsible for elections,” Hon. Kargbo said.
Reflecting on the past two months, during which the opposition abstained from parliamentary proceedings, the Leader acknowledged that several laws were passed in their absence. He noted that while the opposition may not have had the numbers to influence outcomes, their presence remains essential.
“In every democratic parliament, there is a majority and a minority,” he stated. “The minority may not win votes, but it must make its position clear for the record and for posterity. Our absence meant that key national issues were decided without our formal input, and that is not ideal.”
To address this, he said the opposition plans to establish a dedicated team comprising legal experts, experienced MPs, and technical advisors. This team will review legislation passed during their absence and provide recommendations.
“We will take a closer look at the laws that were passed and develop coordinated positions.These recommendations will guide our engagement going forward,” he noted.
Among the laws mentioned was legislation relating to National Security and Intelligence Act 2026, which the leader described as “contentious” and subjected to differing opinions within the party. He stressed that individual MPs have already expressed personal views, but the party will now adopt a unified and coordinated stance after thorough review.
The Leader also addressed criticisms surrounding the boycott, particularly claims that it was driven by public demand or political strategy. He maintained that the decision to withdraw from Parliament was based on serious concerns about the electoral process.
“The worst disservice to the people of this country is to give them results that do not reflect their vote. Elections must reflect the will of the people. That principle guided our initial decision” he noted.
He further revealed his personal involvement in the electoral process, stating that he served as a counting officer at a tally center covering multiple districts in the Northwest region.
“Our concerns were not abstract they were based on direct experience and observations,” he added.
Despite these concerns, he disclosed that the opposition party now believes that returning to Parliament is necessary to fulfill its constitutional duty and to ensure accountability.
“If we are not present, we cannot put our position on record. And when the country faces challenges, we must be able to show clearly where we stood,” he disclosed.
The APC leadership concluded by reiterating its commitment to constructive engagement, democratic principles, and national development, urging supporters to remain calm and focused as the party resumes its parliamentary role.