The All People’s Congress (APC) National Secretary General has taken a firm stand following his detention by the Sierra Leone Police, asserting that his remarks on the 2023 general elections were lawful political opinions and warning against attempts to intimidate political voices.

In a statement submitted to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the APC Secretary General said the comments attributed to him, made on or about January 31, reflected the long-standing position of the APC regarding concerns over the transparency and conduct of the 2023 elections. He emphasized that his statement was grounded in publicly available reports and observations from both international and domestic election monitors.

He stressed that his remarks were made in good faith, strictly within the context of democratic discourse, and did not promote violence or hatred. “I reject any suggestion that my statement was made with malice or criminal intent,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to peaceful, lawful, and democratic engagement.

Highlighting the lack of conclusive and fully validated election results, he argued that his comments were part of a broader public debate on electoral integrity. “The concerns I expressed reflect a widely held view shared by many citizens, civil society actors, and political stakeholders,” he added.

The APC Secretary General also made it clear that intimidation will not silence him or the party. “Political parties and citizens have a constitutional right to express political ideas and opinions, particularly on governance, elections, and democracy. We will continue to exercise these rights without fear or favor,” he declared.

His firm stance comes amid heightened political tensions in Sierra Leone, signaling that the APC intends to push back against what it views as attempts to suppress lawful political expression.