Freetown, Sierra Leone, 19 May 2025— Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All Peoples Congress (APC), has launched an investigation into the illegal printing of its old membership cards, following the discovery of a counterfeit card at a printing press in Freetown.
According to a press release signed by APC National Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya, Esq., the incident took place on Friday, 16 May, at a printing shop on Upper Brook Street. A man found in possession of the fake card fled the scene when confronted.
The manager of the printing press has since been questioned by police, and the matter is now under investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
APC says the forgery appears to be part of an effort to bypass the party’s new membership verification system. The statement suggests that some individuals, unable to manipulate the new system, have turned to reproducing outdated membership cards in an attempt to disrupt the verification process.
The statement explained that when the current National Secretary General assumed office, he was handed the party’s official membership database, which contains verified details including member names and AA numbers. As such, anyone attempting to use or produce membership cards outside this official system will not be recognized.
The party reiterated that only the newly issued membership ID cards are valid for voting and other official party matters. This requirement, the APC stressed, was not only introduced for internal reforms but is also in compliance with directives from the courts and the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC).
In its statement, the APC also addressed what it described as a campaign of misinformation aimed at deflecting attention from the ongoing investigation. While rejecting these claims, the party said it has not formally accused any individual and remains committed to due process.
To provide further clarity, the APC announced plans to hold a press conference on Thursday, 22 May, where it will share updates on the investigation and outline the next steps in the verification process. Party members, officials, and the public are encouraged to attend.
