Leading flagbearer aspirant for the main opposition All Peoples Congress, Dr Ibrahim Bangura recently pleaded with members and supporters of the APC to unite now if the party should reclaim power come 2028.
Unity, he said, “is Strength” and according to him, APC can be strong to win the forthcoming elections if united.
A divided house cannot stand, and trends show that APC is fragmented along ideological lines; one set of people are still looking back at 2023 while the other set is looking forward to 2028.
These two groups are polar extremes and bridges must be built to ease the divisions, an assignment Dr. Ibrahim Bangura, the only unifier at this time is working on. In his quest for unity and peace within the party, Dr. Bangura has seen a bright light at the end of the tunnel as hundreds and thousands from all walks of life and across regions are standing up for him.
Dr. Bangura’s growing grassroot support was manifested recently in the Northern capital, Makeni where he observed the Eid-ul-Adha prayers alongside central and local government officials, community leaders, the youth, elders and supporters of the APC.
Hundreds, if not thousands of APC members and supporters were present at the colourful occasion to hear his message of unity and hope consistent with his Movement’s mantra: ‘Heal, Unite and Hope.’
In clear recognition of peace and development, Dr. Bangura, during the occasion, pledged for unity within the party during his last Wednesday’s visit to Makeni where he received an arousing and red-carpet welcome offered him by the stakeholders of Makeni.
The firebrand flag-bearer, Dr. Bangura met with the district’s executives and party stakeholders shortly after observing the Eid-ul-Adha prayers in Makeni. Eid-ul-Adha, according to Islamic scholars, symbolises sacrifice, compassion, obedience and solidarity, and these values are critical to national unity and development in Sierra Leone.
The meeting was highly successful bringing together very important personalities and party faithfuls who threw their weight behind Dr. Bangura by reposing confidence in his leadership and growing national appeal.
Addressing members and supporters during the meeting, Dr. Bangura expressed a blanket nod of thanks to the people of Bombali for what he describes as their unwavering love and loyalty to the APC emphasising that Bombali still remains “the heartland of APC.” He also stressed the country’s current socio-economic challenges while assuring supporters that his movement was focused on shaping the future rather than fighting the past.
APC is facing a crucial moment as internal elections is right underway to have a full-fledge and viable executive that can take the party to the next elections. Few days, back, APC held its lower elections in some parts of the Western Area and the trend is sure to continue to the end.
No gainsaying that it is during such elections that thuggery and violent activities are being perpetrated by rival groups within the party resulting into serious injuries and sometimes fatalities. But, peace and unity remains the only remedy to such situations so that lives could be saved, property protected and brotherhood bonds tightened.
To strengthen the pillars of peace and unity in the party, Dr. Bangura condemned outright all forms of violence among members and supporters of the party and called for civility and maturity in every activity or programme the party embarks on.
Dr. Bangura also appealed to flag-bearer aspirants to preach messages of peace and unity to their constituents so that there could be decent politics in Sierra Leone.
He urged supporters and aspirants to conduct their campaigns with composure, decency, discipline and mutual respect reminding them that “there is life after elections.”
He sees elections as an accepted way of choosing leaders through organised contest which should not be used as a platform to perpetrate violence by those who see themselves as brothers, sisters and friends before the election.
These people have to meet again an interactive fashion to discuss issues and chart a new way in politicking. But, coming together after election will be difficult if the people see themselves as foes instead of friends.
It is difficult to bring such divisions together after the internal polls and make it difficult to control or move political parties forward as the people of the same party will be at each other’s throat.
Dr. Bangura’s message comes at the right time as some politicians create divisions which sometimes hunt the party even after elections.
Such divisive acts make the party to stagnate after such elections as internal rival factions cannot see eye-to-eye even on issues affecting the party. Being a nationalist, Dr. Bangura is also concerned about the country’s peace underpinned by inter-party relationship.
It was against this backdrop that he appealed to the people of Sierra Leone to rise above political, regional and ethnic differences in the interest of peace and progress so that Sierra Leone can continue to occupy its rightful place in society.
Sierra Leone, for years, has been negatively impacted by ethno-regional politics which is a way of life for several politicians, and Dr. Bangura is ready to change the narrative this time.
Dr. Bangura’s message also touched on the current condition of Sierra Leonean women and children, two of the most marginalised groups when it comes to opportunities and privileges that make them realise their worth and dignity.
Despite the enactment of laws particularly the GEWE (The Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment) as well as the Child Rights laws, women and children’s situation still remains deplorable and needs immediate attention.
Dr. Bangura who intends to place the welfare and empowerment of women and children high on the national agenda pledges and works to put a framework to create opportunities for women and children to realise their full potentials in a peaceful and united Sierra Leone. Pleased with his message, five women groups have vouched for Dr. Bangura in his presidential bid.
Taking the podium during the meeting, Dr. Martin Bangura, one of APC’s key stakeholders described the occasion as a proud moment since they had Dr. Bangura in their midst.
He praised Dr. Bangura for praying with his people in Makeni referring to such move as a real show of humility, unity and peace.
He is a friend of the party’s grassroot members, and has been working all along to build and strengthen his relationship with them.
The grassroot people form the bulk and crux of the party and that they need to be reached since their support is crucial to the party’s existence and a flag-bearer’s victory at any given moment.
Speaking at the occasion, was Honourable Osman Turay who expressed feelings of goodwill for Dr. Bangura for joining them in the Eid prayers and interact in a spirit of brotherhood and comradeship.
Such move, he said, was a manifestation of love for his people and commitment to the party’s peace and unity.
He sees Dr. Bangura as a man for the moment and one that will provide situational leadership for Sierra Leone, a country on a crossroads about the type of leadership it needs.
Sierra Leone’s current situation needs Dr. Bangura, a man of tact and peace that will turn Sierra Leone’s misfortune into fortune and reverse the democratic backsliding to real and mature democracy.
If elected President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Bangura will definitely build on the legacies of recent, successive regimes that have ruled Sierra Leone.
Turning to the recent past especially on development in the energy, health and infrastructure sectors, Honourable Turay praised former President Ernest Bai Koroma for his worthwhile contribution to the development of Sierra Leone.
He also described Dr. Bangura as an “advanced version” of former President Koroma as Sierra Leone hopes to blossom and flourish under his presidency.
