By Musa Paul Feika
The Deputy Chairman of the All People’s Congress (APC) Former Ministers Association and also former Deputy Minister of Sports, Ishmail Al-Sankoh Conteh has described the erstwhile APC Presidential Candidate, Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara as an important figure whose experience, political following and contributions remain valuable to the opposition APC party.
Speaking during an interview with this reporter, Al-Sankoh-Conteh argued that Dr. Kamara’s political significance within the APC party cannot be overlooked, particularly given his role as the party’s presidential candidate on two separate occasions and the substantial support he attracted during the 2023 presidential election.
According to him, Dr. Kamara remains a “very important player” in the APC and should continue to have a role in the party’s political affairs.
“You don’t get the flagbearer of the party on two occasions and a pool of considerable votes,” Al-Sankoh-Conteh said, stressing that the former presidential candidate’s experience and political influence makes him an important asset to the party.
He also described Dr. Kamara as an elder statesman who, despite challenges, has maintained a peaceful disposition and could contribute to efforts aimed at resolving the divisions within the APC.
Al-Sankoh-Conteh said the current circumstances require party members and senior figures to put aside personal egos and work towards reconciliation.
He welcomed reports of a possible consultative meeting involving different stakeholders within the APC, saying such an initiative could provide an opportunity for estranged members and influential figures to return to a common platform.
“If someone comes out of camp at that meeting, I will be one of the happiest people,” he said, underscoring his desire to see greater unity within the opposition party.
The former ministerial official also weighed in on the leadership challenges currently confronting the APC, arguing that the party needs an inclusive mechanism capable of addressing its internal disputes and preparing the ground for credible internal elections.
He proposed the establishment of an interim body that could bring together representatives from different regions and categories of party stakeholders.
Al-Sankoh-Conteh suggested that such a body could include Members of Parliament, former Members of Parliament, former ministers and former executive members of the party.
He argued that the size of the interim structure should not become the central issue, provided that those appointed are capable of carrying out the required responsibilities.
According to him, even a small committee could help move the party forward if the existing structures are unable to effectively perform their functions.
His comments come amid continuing disagreements within the APC over its organisational structure, internal elections and the interpretation and implementation of the party’s constitution.
Al-Sankoh-Conteh further raised concerns about the potential for disputes surrounding party elections, particularly where members believe that electoral procedures or voter registers have not been properly handled.
He noted that the APC constitution provides mechanisms through which dissatisfied members can challenge electoral outcomes, including petition and other forms of internal redress.
He therefore urged the party to ensure that its electoral processes are transparent and compliant with its constitution to minimize disputes.
“If you do the correct thing, it will go a long way to address many problems,” he argued.
He emphasised that the APC constitution must remain the foundation for resolving the party’s internal disagreements.
According to him, the supremacy of the constitution means that every member and every structure of the party must operate within the rules established by that document.
The APC Former Ministers Association Deputy Chairman also referred to decisions by the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) in relation to party disputes, arguing that such decisions should be respected and properly implemented.
He questioned why a PPRC ruling could become the subject of further internal disagreement when the regulatory body had already made a determination on a matter.
For Al-Sankoh-Conteh, the way forward is not continued confrontation but the creation of an inclusive process in which all sides are given an opportunity to participate.
“Everybody should come on board,” he said.
His intervention comes at a time when the APC continues to face calls for greater internal cohesion as the party looks towards its future political strategy and preparations for the next electoral cycle.
While acknowledging the difficulties confronting the party, Al-Sankoh-Conteh maintained that reconciliation, respect for the APC constitution and the involvement of experienced party stakeholders could help restore unity.
He argued that figures such as Dr. Samura Kamara, former ministers, former parliamentarians and other experienced members should not be pushed aside but instead be given space to contribute to rebuilding the party.
For him, the APC’s political strength will ultimately depend not only on its ability to mobilise supporters but also on its capacity to resolve internal disagreements through dialogue, constitutional processes and inclusive leadership.