By Musa Paul Feika
The Speaker of the Sixth Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, has commended Members of Parliament from both the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) for the smooth conduct of the pre-legislative hearing on the Constitutional Amendment Act of 2025.
Speaking during proceedings, Speaker Thomas said he received positive reports from the leadership of both parties, confirming that the pre legislative session held at Committee Room One was conducted peacefully and constructively.
“I received reports from the leadership of both the Sierra Leone People’s Party and the All People’s Congress that the pre-legislative hearing went on well at Committee Room One,” the Speaker stated.
He advised Members of Parliament on both sides of the aisle not to allow public commentary or analysis to confuse or influence them during parliamentary deliberations on the constitutional amendment process.
According to him, matters of procedure and decision-making remain the exclusive responsibility of Parliament.
Speaker Thomas emphasized that disagreements are part of parliamentary democracy and should be handled in accordance with laid-down procedures rather than through confrontation.
“At the end of the day, if we do not agree at all, then we know the procedures. We do not need to fix fights or start fighting one another. We know what the procedures are,” he cautioned.
He further explained that where consensus cannot be reached on an issue, parliamentary procedures provide for decisions to be taken through voting to determine the majority view.
The Speaker urged MPs to remain calm and respectful at all times, stressing that constitutional matters are serious national issues that require maturity and decorum.
He warned against being swayed by so-called public analysts or external influences.
“I do not want a situation where we come to a meeting here in Committee Room One and I see people fighting. I do not expect such behaviour from Honourable Members of Parliament,” he said.
Hon. Thomas noted that it is not mandatory for MPs to always agree on every issue, adding that Parliament’s Standing Orders clearly spell out procedures for areas of agreement and disagreement.
He once again praised MPs from both the SLPP and APC for their cooperation and successful engagement during the pre-legislative hearing, noting that he was pleased with the reports received from both parties.
Addressing members of the public, the Speaker encouraged citizens to engage Parliament constructively by submitting position papers on constitutional issues rather than resorting to social media attacks against political parties.
He clarified that while members of the public have the right to submit position papers for consideration by Parliament, such submissions do not automatically grant them the right to debate on the floor of the House, as they are not elected representatives.
“As citizens of Sierra Leone, it is your right to present position papers to Parliament for consideration,” he said.
Speaker Thomas concluded by assuring the public that Parliament remains an honourable institution committed to conducting its work in accordance with the law.
“We cannot be making laws and flouting them at the same time,” he concluded.