APC MPs Walk Out of Parliament During Final Stage of Constitutional Amendment Bill
Opposition Members of Parliament belonging to the All People’s Congress (APC) on Monday walked out of Parliament during the final stage of the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2025, following a disagreement over the voting procedure for the proposed amendments.
Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, invoked Section 108 of the 1991 Constitution, arguing that amendments to entrenched provisions of the Constitution require the support of at least two-thirds of the total membership of Parliament.
Citing Section 108, Kargbo said the provision makes it clear that any alteration to an entrenched clause of the Constitution must be approved by a two-thirds majority of Members of Parliament.
He further referred to Section 108(9), which provides that references to the alteration of the Constitution, or any provision contained therein, and the addition of provisions to the Constitution, shall be construed accordingly.
According to the Opposition Leader, the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds majority cannot be bypassed by treating the amendments as ordinary clauses during the Committee Stage.
“Section 108 specifically deals with entrenched clauses,” Kargbo argued, maintaining that any alteration to such provisions must comply with the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority.
Following Kargbo’s submission, the Speaker called on the Leader of Government Business to respond.
Speaking on behalf of the Leader of Government Business, Hon.Hindolo Gevao challenged Kargbo’s interpretation of the Constitution, arguing that the Opposition Leader had misrepresented the relevant provisions.
Gevao maintained that the Constitution speaks to the voting requirement for the Bill, rather than each individual clause during the Committee Stage. He argued that Parliament was at the Committee Stage, where clauses are considered and voted on individually.
He further cited Section 91 of the Constitution, arguing that voting on individual clauses during parliamentary proceedings can be determined by a simple majority.
Following the arguments from both sides, the Speaker proceeded with the voting on the disputed clause.
Members supporting the Government’s position voted in favour, while those opposed voted against the clause. The Speaker subsequently ruled that the “Nays have it,” after the opposition side did not secure the required number of votes to defeat the motion.
The development triggered a strong reaction from the Opposition benches.
Leader of the Opposition Abdul Kargbo said the APC could not be party to what he described as an alteration of the Constitution without following the constitutionally prescribed procedure.
The APC MPs subsequently walked out of the Chamber after singing one of the party’s traditional struggle songs, “There Is Victory.”
The dispute is now expected to be addressed through a formal ruling by the Speaker. The Speaker said he would make formal ruling and refer the matter to the supreme court for legal determination to resolve the disruption and procedural dispute.
