“There’re over 110 Ways to Urge Government Actions”…Speaker Tells APC
By James Johnson
The Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas, has called on Members of Parliament from the All People’s Congress (APC) to actively participate in parliamentary proceedings, emphasizing that there are “more than one hundred and ten ways” to urge government to act—without boycotting sittings.
Speaking during parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday, 24th March 2026, the Speaker reminded lawmakers that their foremost responsibility is to serve the people of Sierra Leone, regardless of political affiliation.
“You have been elected by your people. You come to this House of Parliament to serve the Republic of Sierra Leone. All other considerations are secondary,” he stated.
He stressed that while Members belong to political parties, their primary duty remains service to the nation and its citizens.
Referencing Section 97(b) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, Speaker Thomas underscored that all Members of Parliament must regard themselves as representatives of the people and avoid conduct that could alienate them or serve personal interests.
The Speaker also clarified that the recent prolonged adjournment of Parliament was deliberate, allowing the APC to conduct its lower-level elections without disadvantage, as well as to observe the Eid holiday. He noted that the decision was taken in good faith to ensure inclusivity and fairness.
Welcoming Members back from recess, Speaker Thomas declared that parliamentary work has now fully resumed and urged MPs to be prepared for more frequent sittings.
“Work for the people has commenced. Members must be fired up as Parliament will now be sitting frequently,” he added.
Addressing concerns raised by the opposition, he emphasized that there are numerous legitimate avenues within parliamentary processes to engage and influence government decisions, cautioning against using absenteeism as a tool of protest.
He concluded by inviting the leadership of the APC in Parliament to a special meeting scheduled for 1:00 PM in his chambers, aimed at fostering dialogue and ensuring the smooth functioning of the House.
The Speaker’s remarks come amid ongoing political tensions, as efforts continue to encourage full participation of all parties in parliamentary governance.
