The All People’s Congress (APC) has entered a critical phase in its internal political affairs following recent court actions that have raised fresh questions about the party’s leadership structure, electoral processes and preparations for the National Delegates Conference (NDC), a key step towards selecting its 2028 presidential flagbearer.
An explanatory graphic circulating within party circles outlines a sequence of events that has placed the APC at what many observers describe as a political crossroads.
According to the timeline, the three-year tenure of the elected National Executive expired in February 2026. In response to the situation, the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) on August 17, 2026, reportedly granted the party a six-month extension under Section 39(5) of the Political Parties Act.
The PPRC’s position was that if the National Delegates Conference could not be held within the extension period, management of the party would temporarily transfer to the APC Leader in Parliament alongside five regional Members of Parliament.
However, developments took a dramatic turn on August 19, 2026, when actions taken by the party’s executive from that date became the subject of legal scrutiny. Matters escalated further on August 27 and 28, 2026, when Justice Adrian Fisher issued a High Court order restraining members of the current National Executive from acting in their executive capacities pending the determination of the case before the court.
The interim order specifically restrains APC National Secretary General Osman Foday Yansaneh, Lansana Dumbuya and all members of the current National Executive from administering party affairs in their official capacities. The court also suspended actions taken by the executive from August 19, 2026, onwards, pending further proceedings.
One of the immediate consequences of the ruling is the suspension of activities by the APC Independent Elections Complaints Board, including hearings relating to ward rerun petitions. Political analysts say this could disrupt the internal electoral machinery expected to produce delegates and structures required for a successful National Delegates Conference.
The unfolding situation has highlighted competing interpretations of authority within the party. On one side is the APC Constitution, which governs internal structures, tenure and dispute resolution mechanisms. On another is the PPRC, the statutory body responsible for supervising political parties and enforcing provisions of the Political Parties Act. The third authority is the judiciary, which now finds itself interpreting the law and issuing orders affecting the party’s executive leadership.
The legal and political uncertainty has generated concern among party supporters and stakeholders, particularly regarding the legitimacy of future decisions, the credibility of the National Delegates Conference and the selection process for the APC’s 2028 presidential candidate.
Observers warn that prolonged disputes could affect party unity and expose future decisions to legal challenges, potentially undermining confidence in the APC’s preparations for the next general election cycle.
Despite the tensions, calls are growing within the party for dialogue, restraint and adherence to legal processes. Stakeholders are urging respect for the court proceedings, constructive engagement with the PPRC and the pursuit of a broad-based consensus that can preserve party unity while ensuring a lawful and credible path to the National Delegates Conference.
As the matter remains before the courts, the APC faces one of the most consequential internal tests in its recent history, with the outcome likely to shape not only its leadership structure but also its prospects for mounting a united challenge for State House in 2028