The All Peoples Congress (APC) party has unveiled a stringent vetting process for those aspiring to lead the party into the 2028 presidential elections, setting the stage for a bruising contest over who qualifies to contest.
According to information gathered by The Informant Newspaper on the eligibility and scoring framework for the APC flagbearer position, the party has moved to weed out opportunists, political tourists and those with questionable backgrounds.
The rules, described by insiders as the toughest in the party’s history, contain 15 mandatory vetting requirements and a six-pillar scoring system.
According to the document, to even be considered, an aspirant must go through a fifteen-point vetting process, which includes:
1. Formal Application
2. Submission of comprehensive CV
3. Presentation of Academic Qualifications
4. Minimum of 5 years continuous membership with the APC
5. Proof of not being a member of another political party for at least 5 years
6. Full Background Check
7. Police Clearance
8. No Criminal Records
9. No history of being fined for financial impropriety
10. Presentation of a National Vision for the country
11. Proof of Political Viability and Political Influence
12. Demonstrated Capacity to Unite the Party
13. At least a University Degree
14. Minimum 5 years’ experience in national governance and party leadership
15. Secure endorsement from at least 20 delegates
A senior member of the APCant Newspaper said the criteria were designed to “protect the party from infiltration, embarrassment and division.”
“The APC has learnt bitter lessons. We cannot afford a candidate who will be disqualified by past criminality, financial scandal, or dual party allegiance. If you were SLPP two years ago, you cannot be APC flagbearer today,” the source said.
Even after meeting the 15-point threshold, aspirants will be scored on a 100% merit system, where loyalty and party service carry the highest weight.
Political analysts say the weighting sends a clear message: the APC wants a tested loyalist, not a newcomer with one-way.
“Loyalty at 20% and Leadership at 20% means 40% of your marks come from what you have done for the APC and what you have done in government before. A degree alone will not save you. Money alone will not save you,” said one Freetown-based political analyst.
The requirements for a university degree, 5-year governance experience and police clearance are already causing anxiety among some rumored aspirants whose academic credentials and past dealings have been questioned in the public domain.
The clause on “Never been fined for any financial impropriety” is also seen as a direct response to past controversies where party figures were accused of corruption and misappropriation.
The requirement to secure endorsement from 20 delegates is expected to test grassroots support and eliminate aspirants who only have social media presence but no party structure.
With over a dozen names already circulating as possible flagbearer hopefuls, the big question now is: Who will survive this vetting?
The party is expected to formally announce the opening of applications and constitute the Vetting Committee in the coming weeks.
Attempts to get an official comment from the APC National Secretariat were unsuccessful last night, but a top party executive confirmed the document is authentic and reflects the party’s desire for a “credible, winnable and unifying candidate.”