Dr. Ibrahim Bangura, Leader of the DIB Movement and Flagbearer Aspirant of the All People’s Congress (APC), has called on President Julius Maada Bio to withhold assent to the recently passed constitutional amendment bill pending the Supreme Court’s interpretation of constitutional questions arising from Parliament’s proceedings.
To show that, Dr. Bangura said he has been closely following recent parliamentary proceedings on the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which he believes raise issues of considerable national importance touching on Sierra Leone’s constitutional order, democratic governance, and the strength of institutions upon which the Republic rests.
At the centre of his intervention is a call for restraint and respect for constitutional processes, particularly as the country awaits judicial clarification on questions arising from Parliament’s handling of the Bill.
Meanwhile, Dr. Bangura has welcomed the Speaker’s decision to refer the matter to the Supreme Court under Section 94(2) of the Constitution for an advisory opinion.
He said the referral should proceed without unnecessary delay because an authoritative interpretation from the Supreme Court would provide much-needed clarity on the constitutional requirements for amending Sierra Leone’s supreme law and help guide the country forward.
“Given the significance of the questions at stake, I respectfully urge that this process proceed without unnecessary delay.”
For his part, Dr. Bangura supports the APC’s position that further action on the recently passed constitutional amendment bill should be suspended pending judicial consideration of the issues that have arisen.
He also supports the party’s intention to seek appropriate redress before the Supreme Court.
On the issue of legal redress, Dr. Bangura argues that allowing the Court to pronounce on the constitutional questions before any irreversible steps are taken would serve the interests of constitutional order, public confidence, and respect for the rule of law.
“It would be prudent for all concerned to allow the Court to pronounce on these important constitutional questions before any irreversible steps are taken.”
Beyond the immediate constitutional dispute, Dr. Bangura is urging political actors and citizens to approach the situation with patience, restraint, and respect for national institutions.
He said political differences should not undermine the constitutional framework through which those differences are peacefully and lawfully resolved.
“Whatever our political differences, our shared responsibility is to ensure that the Constitution remains the foundation for the peaceful, lawful resolution of those differences.”
More significantly, he stressed that constitutional amendments are not ordinary legislative acts because they can have far-reaching consequences for governance, relations between citizens and the State, and the constitutional inheritance passed on to future generations.
For that reason, he said any alteration of Sierra Leone’s supreme law warrants the highest standard of care, meaningful consultation, adherence to due process, and a strong sense of national responsibility.
Adding to the debate, Dr. Bangura said questions surrounding the process of pursuing fundamental constitutional changes deserve careful and transparent attention.
He argued that addressing such concerns strengthens rather than weakens institutions and helps sustain public confidence in Sierra Leone’s democratic system.
“Doing so strengthens, rather than weakens, our institutions and helps sustain citizens’ confidence in our democratic system.”
Of particular concern to Dr. Bangura is what should happen next while the Supreme Court considers the constitutional questions.
He made three specific requests to President Bio.
First, he called on the President to:
“Withhold assent while the country awaits the Supreme Court’s interpretation and determination of the constitutional questions that have arisen.”
Second, he urged the President to encourage broad stakeholder consultations involving APC, other political stakeholders, civil society organisations, legal experts, and key national actors.
According to Dr. Bangura, such consultations should help build the widest possible consensus on any proposed constitutional changes.
Third, he called on the President to safeguard the sovereign will of the people by ensuring that any final constitutional outcome reflects broad national confidence, constitutional legitimacy, and Sierra Leone’s long-term interests.
At the same time, Dr. Bangura called on fellow APC members and those who look to the party for leadership to demonstrate unity, calm, discipline, and constructive engagement.
He cautioned against allowing the constitutional dispute to become solely a partisan matter.
“Our party is greater than any individual, and the future of Sierra Leone is greater than any political party.”
APC, he said, should approach the matter with a spirit that places national interest above partisan interests.
He called for lawful advocacy, principled leadership, and constructive engagement with all stakeholders as the party seeks to defend democratic institutions.
Looking ahead, Dr. Bangura described the Constitution as the bedrock of the Republic and said any process for amending it must inspire confidence in both legality and legitimacy.
He argued that constitutional reform should not be treated as an opportunity for political advantage.
Instead, it should be approached as a solemn national responsibility that demands deliberation, inclusion, and fidelity to the principles upon which Sierra Leone’s democracy rests.
With the matter now heading toward possible judicial review, Dr. Bangura said responsibility for protecting Sierra Leone’s constitutional order extends beyond the Supreme Court.
He identified Parliament, the Executive, political parties, civil society, and citizens as sharing responsibility for ensuring that Sierra Leone’s enduring interests remain paramount.
“What Will Best Serve Our Country Tomorrow?”
For Sierra Leoneans, Dr. Bangura’s intervention shifts attention from the immediate political contest to the longer-term implications of constitutional reform.
He argued that at moments of constitutional significance, leaders and citizens must consider not only what may be possible today but also what will best serve the country tomorrow.
“At moments of constitutional significance, our responsibility is not merely to consider what may be possible today, but what will best serve our country tomorrow.”
Taken together, Dr. Bangura’s position combines support for APC’s legal challenge with a call for restraint, consultation, and national consensus.
He concluded by urging all concerned to proceed with wisdom, restraint, and respect for the institutions of the Republic so that whatever decisions are ultimately taken will strengthen democracy, preserve the integrity of the Constitution, and serve the lasting interests of Sierra Leoneans.