By: Kadijatu Bangura Reporter (D.S)
Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has rejected the appointment of an Acting Mayor, describing the move as unlawful and procedurally flawed, and she dismissed any calls for her to hand over the office keys to the SLPP-appointed official. Speaking on the Liberty Breakfast Show, Aki-Sawyerr said a widely shared image showing Councillor Gbla in ceremonial mayoral regalia was misleading. She claimed the photograph was originally taken at the Freetown Auditorium and was later digitally altered to create the impression that the councillor had access to the official mayoral gown and chain.
Aki-Sawyerr stressed that she is the elected Mayor of Freetown, with a mandate she said comes directly from the people. She argued that the Local Government Act contains no provision for an Acting Mayor, maintaining that the SLPP’s action is “fake and illegal.” She also insisted the authentic mayoral regalia remains in her possession and that there is no lawful method for the acting official to obtain or wear it.
On the legal framework for administration when the Mayor is absent, she clarified that only the Chief Administrator is permitted to temporarily manage administrative duties and only under specific conditions, such as during election periods insisting this cannot be used to justify an Acting Mayor taking full control of the mayoral office.
Regarding the office keys, Aki-Sawyerr was categorical, saying: “That is not possible. I will never hand over my office keys to the SLPP Acting Mayor because he is illegal.”
She further questioned the legitimacy of the appointment process, noting that she believed it was defended largely by the SLPP Secretariat rather than the Ministry of Local Government, raising concerns about its legality. She also connected her return to active council duties to wider governance disputes, including her references to longstanding institutional challenges involving Chief Administrators and developments around the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, including the removal of Edmond Alpha.
The controversy follows the Government of Sierra Leone’s unveiling of Councillor Gbla as Acting Mayor for Freetown, saying the move is intended to restore functional governance and ensure continuity of service delivery after disruption linked to an opposition boycott by the All People’s Congress (APC). While the ruling party insists the appointment is within its mandate to keep governance structures operating, the APC has challenged the decision, arguing it lacks constitutional backing and undermines due process in local governance.
As the political standoff continues, attention is likely to focus on whether the Acting Mayor will carry out executive authority as disputed and whether the matter will be resolved through legal channels or sustained political negotiation.
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