By APC National Advisory Council Member
As the All People’s Congress (APC) prepares to chart its course toward the 2028 general elections, I feel compelled, out of duty to my party and love for my country, to sound the alarm and offer a voice of reason in what is fast becoming another dangerously sentimental election process. I have watched with growing concern as several comrades jostle for the flagbearer position, many of them carrying political baggage so heavy it could sink our party’s chances before the race even begins.
Let me be clear: Sierra Leone does not need another compromised candidate. The APC does not need another experiment. What we need – now more than ever – is a leader whose record is unblemished, whose integrity is intact, and whose name evokes confidence, not controversy.
We have been down this road before. In 2018, we underestimated the electorate’s hunger for accountability. In 2023, we repeated the same mistake, hoping that party loyalty could substitute for national trust. Both times, we lost, not just elections, but credibility. We cannot afford to make that mistake again. The APC must present a flagbearer who is as clean as a whistle and strong enough to inspire both the party base and undecided voters across the country.
Among all those who have so far shown interest in leading this party, one name rises above the noise: Dr. Ibrahim Bangura.
Dr. Bangura represents what this moment demands. He is not tainted by corruption allegations. He is not entangled in tribal politics or old rivalries. He has no skeletons in his cupboard and no score to settle. What he brings to the table is vision, discipline, and a reputation that has withstood the test of time.
I say this not to undermine the ambitions of others, but because I believe in telling hard truths. The APC is at a crossroads, and our next move will determine whether we remain in the wilderness of opposition or reclaim the trust of the people and return to governance. Delegates emerging from the upcoming lower-level elections must recognize the weight of the responsibility they carry. Their choice will either revive the party or bury it.
Let us not confuse popularity within party circles with electability in the national arena. Let us not allow emotional alliances to override political logic. Let us not mortgage the future of this party for short-term loyalty.
We need a leader who can look the people in the eye and say, “I have nothing to hide.” That is how we begin to rebuild trust, not just within the APC, but with the millions of Sierra Leoneans looking for hope.
Dr. Ibrahim Bangura is not just a good candidate; he is the right candidate. And if we are serious about returning to State House, then we must rally behind a leader whose credibility is unquestionable and whose integrity is intact.
The APC must rise above personality cults and internal factions. This is a time for courage. This is a time to choose a leader not just for the party but for the nation. The choice is ours, but the consequences will be for all.
Note: The author is a senior member of the APC National Advisory Council (NAC). He has chosen to remain anonymous due to internal party protocols.