All People’s Congress (APC)’s National Secretary General, Lansana Dumbuya Esq, has offered what many have described as a free lecture on good governance.

The release states:  “The APC is confident that the people of Sierra Leone understand that the ballot is mightier than the bullet.’’

Lansana Dumbuya’s signed a release made public on the views of the APC after what many political commentators have observed “a disappointing speech delivered by President Julius Maada Bio’’, in the southern part of Sierra Leone.

According to APC’s release, the party is deeply concerned about other things on the recent address made by the President where Mr Bio threatened citizens that, “if they come with a bullet, they would be met with a bullet.”

The APC believes Bio is ‘‘burning out in the kitchen’’, noting that the provocation by the president amid the ongoing hunger, starvation, and economic devastation facing the nation, is deeply troubling.

Instead of fostering unity and offering words of encouragement to the people, President Bio has chosen to use incendiary words, the release pointed out, and the party believes that such rhetoric would further divide the nation which is experiencing a total economic decline since 2018 when power changed hands.

The president’s statement, the release states, is highly detrimental to the social fabric of Sierra Leone.

“The APC wishes to remind the public of the Agreement for National Unity, which contains a mutual condemnation of hate speech and violence. This agreement, signed by both the SLPP led government and the APC,’’ the release states, citing the reality that both the APC and the regime agreed on turning down the rhetoric and hate speech.

“The acts and words of President Bio are ill-advised and unfortunate,’’, adding  that leaders of both the APC and the SLPP government should diligently work to bring together the nation and foster peace.

“During these difficult circumstances, it is crucial that we give utmost importance to the unity and coherence of our nation,’’ the release states, while  reaffirming the APC’s unwavering dedication to the fundamental tenets of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.

The release also decried any effort of the regime to utilize government’s authority to coerce, persecute, or unlawfully confine individuals on the grounds of their political convictions or associations.

The government, the party says, should halt these unjustified steps and focus on fostering authentic dialogue and reconciliation, in accordance with the Bintumani Agreement in order to guarantee political stability and peace in Sierra Leone.

“We implore all citizens of Sierra Leone to maintain composure and concentration, and to allow the tripartite committee to proceed with its crucial tasks, while patiently awaiting its ultimate findings,’’ the release states.

The party is optimistic that Bio would collaborate with the APC in an endeavour to unify citizens and guide the nation in the right direction.