Alpha M. Jalloh ESQ In a letter dated 20th July 2022, has penned down his dissatisfaction and discontent according to the way and manner the interim Chairman of the All People’s Congress, Alfred Peter Conteh has been dealing with the affairs of the party.
ALPHA M. JALLOH ESQ.
NOTARY PUBLIC & COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS
LL. B (HONS), LL.M (WARWICK), LLM(DUNDEE) MSC(DUNDEE), BL
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20th July, 2022.
The Chairman
Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC)
All Peoples Congress Party
Old Railway Line
Brookfields
Freetown
Dear Mr. Chairman,
RE: SUMMONING OF MEETINGS OF THE ITGC
I write to register my concern regarding the way and manner in which you have been summoning meetings of the ITGC more particularly the meeting scheduled for today 20th July 2022.
I note that within the past week you have sent out agendas on the WhatsApp group for the holding of meetings without consensus and without directing your mind to the very current topical issue before Parliament on the passing of a new Public Elections Act. The ITGC comprises Members of Parliament whose presence is necessary in regards debate and possible voting on the said bill. I note from the WhatsApp group that Hon. Abdul Kargbo; Secretary to the Committee, has on both occasions brought to your notice this fact and the fact that this is happening is a manifestation that as Secretary of the Committee he is unaware of the meetings till it is posted by you on the WhatsApp group and also unaware of the agenda items thereof. It appears to me that you have usurped and arrogated to yourself the functions,duties and powers of the Secretary and quite frankly Mr. Chairman, you are doing a terrible job being both Chairman and Secretary.
Mr. Chairman, as a committee we must be sensitive to issues of national importance that our MP’s are an integral part of and if handled badly by them, have the potential of adversely affecting our Party’s chances of winning the 2023 elections. Furthermore Mr. Chairman, it is my view that consultations within the committee as opposed to the taking of unilateral decisions will ease to our engagement and enhance mutual respect and trust. I entreat you to seek consensus in summoning meetings and in taking decisions generally for and on behalf of the Committee on issues that may potentially negatively affect our Party and its membership in the long run.
As far as today’s meeting is concerned, I want to suggest/advise that it be adjusted accordingly to accommodate debate on the Public Elections Bill in Parliament. I am sure Mr. Chairman that you are aware that all travel engagements of all APC Party MP’s have been suspended and their attendance made mandatory due to the importance and sensitivity of the Elections Bill presently at the committee stage. I will also wish to suggest/advise that you be more consultative in your approach and leadership style.
This suggestion is against the background that members appointed by you to the Committee are under the misapprehension that you are an Executive Chairman with unlimited powers to act and take decisions arbitrarily. On more than one occasion they have come out very aggressively on the WhatsApp group to challenge other members of the Committee who have questioned certain actions taken by you without the knowledge and/or consent of the Committee.
I believe this misconception has to be corrected. You are Chairman of the 21 Man Committee (with no special powers) and all decisions of the Committee for and on behalf of the Party must either be by consensus or by simple majority vote, as ordered by the Hon. Mr. Justice Fisher J in the Judgment.
Mr. Chairman, moving forward I will not be attending any meeting summoned by you without consultation and via agenda posted on a WhatsApp group. In fact, I have as at last night deleted myself from that group. All meetings must be convened by the Secretary or the Secretariat.
It is my view that this unorthodox style of posting agendas on a WhatsApp group is administratively wrong and can be a recipe for future problems. In fact, it is issues like these that you so bitterly complained about in court but also currently perpetuating.
Mr. Chairman, I will henceforth refuse to attend any further meeting of the Committee unless the following administrative procedures are complied with:
- Agenda for all meetings should not be the brainchild of one man and communication of same must not be on a WhatsApp group giving less than 24 hours’ notice to the said meeting.
- That all future meetings must be summoned by the Secretary, sending a formal notice accompanied by an agenda, with a copy of the minutes of the last meeting and matters arising therefrom (Note Mr. Chairman that we have yet to see and approve any of our previous minutes).
- Furthermore, if any agenda item has supporting documentation that will aid discussions, the said document be attached to the notice of the meeting and indicating the agenda item for which the said document(s) is/are attached.
This, I submit Mr. Chairman is the proper mechanism and administrative procedures to follow in summoning meetings and providing the necessary documentation to aid discussions and the taking of informed decisions.
Mr. Chairman, we have a responsibility to properly run and manage the APC Party until our mandate expires. Consistent with our obligation to set things right and as the Party in waiting to take up governance in 2023, we should therefore not be seen to do or condone actions or omissions that are improper or procedurally flawed in the administration of the affairs of our Party.
There are several other burning issues that I have observed but will address them in due course. I want to conclude by reminding the 21 Man Committee (copied herein) that we have deliverables ordered by the court within stipulated timelines which we must prioritize.
Yours faithfully
Alpha M. Jalloh Esq.
Cc: 1. All Members of the 21 Man Committee.
2. APC Leader in Parliament
3. APC Legal Team
