APC Tightens Flagbearer Race, Imposes Strict 70% Eligibility Threshold

The All People’s Congress (APC) has unveiled new and highly stringent eligibility guidelines for aspirants seeking the party’s presidential flagbearership ahead of Sierra Leone’s 2028 general elections, a move that political observers say could significantly reduce the number of qualified contenders.
According to the newly issued party document, aspirants must secure a minimum overall score of 70 percent in a comprehensive vetting process, with no individual assessment category falling below 50 percent.
The APC leadership said the rules were deliberately designed to ensure that only candidates deemed competent, ethical and electorally viable emerge as the party’s standard-bearer.
According to report, the vetting framework was adopted in response to intense intra-party competition and the party’s determination not to lose the 2028 elections. “The APC cannot afford to lose the next elections,” the leadership stated, adding that the new process is intended to select a candidate capable of mobilising nationwide support and winning power.