APC Opposition Leader Supports Aki-Sawyer: No Vacancy Exists in Freetown Mayoral Seat

The opposition All People’s Congress (APC) leader, Abdul Kargbo, has voiced strong support for Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyer’s position regarding the recent SLPP attempt to appoint an acting mayor in her absence.

Speaking on the matter, Kargbo emphasized that under the Local Government Act 2022, there is no provision for the designation of an “acting Mayor” when both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are unavailable. He explained that the Act only addresses procedural contingencies, such as the conduct of council meetings, and does not create a vacancy in the office itself.

He cited Section 13(1) of the Act, which clearly states:

“The office of a District Council Chairperson/Mayor shall become vacant where the holder dies, resigns, is removed from office, ceases to be qualified for election, or is otherwise lawfully removed in accordance with this Act or any other law.”
According to Kargbo, this provision underscores that the Mayor’s temporary absence does not constitute a vacancy, and no other individual may assume the substantive powers or executive authority of the office outside the Act’s established framework.

He further noted that, in line with the Act, council meetings are governed by strict quorum requirements. Section 16(6) stipulates that:

“The quorum for a meeting of a local council shall be half of all the Councillors, provided that where a local council holds a meeting to discuss financial matters, the quorum for such meetings shall be three-fourths of all members of the council.”

Kargbo argued that any council resolutions made without meeting the quorum would be legally invalid and open to challenge.

In conclusion, the APC leader affirmed that the office of Mayor remains occupied by Yvonne Aki-Sawyer, and the recent SLPP nomination of an acting mayor lacks both legal basis and executive authority.