Dr. Sesay disclosed to AYV that he resigned because he wants to contest for the APC flagbearership and that his resignation was as a result of the country rules, as he did not want to be confronted with any obstacle that could prevent him from contesting for the APC political leadership.
“I also want to send a clearer message that I am interested, people have been speculating for a couple of years that I am going to contest for the flagbearer, so this time my resignation will indicate that Dr. Joseph Sam Sesay will obviously run for the APC’s flagbearership,” quoting Dr. Sam Sesay.
He further explained that resigning his position will foster a level playing field amongst his fellow competitors vying for the APC’s political leadership. Dr. Sesay added that he should not be using government money and vehicles to campaign against other candidates and that was another reason of his resignation.
He described himself as an active member of the APC party since 1976, as he joined the party when he was in college and that when the party was ousted in 1992, he played an integral role to reactivate it during general elections at that time.
He further stated that after the 1996 election a cabinet position was offered to the party and him, and that the party had to decline the position, and mentioned that he did not felt aggrieved for that and considered himself as someone that has done great things in the party over the period of forty years.
Section 76 (1)( b) respectively stated “No person shall be qualified for election as a Member of Parliament- if he is a member of any Commission established under this Constitution, or a member of the Armed Forces of the Republic, or a public officer, or an employee of a Public Corporation established by an Act of Parliament, or has been such a member, officer or employee within twelve months prior to the date on which he seeks to be elected to Parliament;” Quoting sections from the 1991 constitution.
Section 171 subsection 4 dictated that” In this Constitution “the public service” does not include service in the office of President, Vice-President, Speaker, Minister, Deputy Minister, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Deputy Speaker, Member of Parliament, or of any member of any Commission established by this Constitution, or any member of any council, board, panel, committee or other similar body (whether incorporated or not) established by or under any law, or in the office of any Paramount Chief, Chiefdom Councillor or member of a Local Court”.
However, there is a heated debate now as to whether or not Dr Joseph Sam Sesay was exempted by the constitution not to resign or that he merely resigned on grounds of morality.
