By Janet A. Sesay
The National Young Congress (NYC) of the All Peoples Party (APC) has, on Wednesday, 16th October, 2024, at their party headquarters at Old Railway line in Freetown officially launched its regional tour that would take place across the country.
This tour is for peace, unity, and reconciliation at the party.
The launch ceremony was graced by media practitioners, a cross-section of the National Executive, Regional and District Executives, party supporters and sympathisers, members of the APC, and parliamentarians.
The essence of the occasion was a bold step taken by the Young Congress to unify the party.
During the ceremony, Abdul Karim Sankoh, the Public Relation Officer, NYC, said the former president, Ernest Bai Koroma made a remark in Parliament that he would lay down his life for the young people. He further mentioned that this statement made by the former president led to young people occupying strategic positions within the party.
He commended the National Executive for providing opportunities for young people to thrive within the party, adding that 90 per cent of positions are held by young people. Sankoh gave an example naming the youngest running mate selected for the party, Honourable Chernor Ramadan Bah, and the young and energetic leadership in Parliament. Sankoh appreciated the National Executive for empowering young people within the party.
The chairman of the event, Madieu Deen Borbordeen, in his opening remarks, thanked the former president for paving the way for young people and expressed gratitude to the National Executive for their guidance. He condemned the use of abusive language towards the former president and the National Executive, urging young people to refrain from such acts or face consequences. The chairman further stated that the party’s leadership is at a crossroads and a difficult time, affirming their support for the National Executive during this trying period. He assured them of full participation in the upcoming census and vowed to mobilise youths to participate, emphasising that they would not let the National Executive handle it alone.
The NYC diaspora representative, Haja Mariama, pleaded with party stakeholders to come together for a united party and to move forward, emphasising its importance. She thanked the current leadership of Ansu Bernard for their efforts to unify leadership both at home and abroad. Mariama highlighted the events undertaken by the diaspora, including the fundraising event in Belgium last year, which funded the party’s activities for the last General Election. She mentioned that this year’s event would be held in Holland, with plans for next year in the USA. Mariama encouraged everyone to trust the party’s process for the betterment of all.
The Secretary General of the NYC, Ibrahim Bai Tarawalie, passionately spoke about the purpose of the regional tour, stating that it is a major step towards peace. He believes that the young people are the people who bring sanity to the party, which is why they have taken the lead in making this tour. He mentioned that party activities have been delayed due to the tripartite agreement, leading them to diversify the work of the party, which has resulted in the registration process.
He urged members of the party to register and emphasised that the motive of the peace tour is to address the issue of young people attacking the National Executive on social media. He emphasised the importance of supporting the grassroots and the electioneering process. He urged the executive to implement their suggestions in order to attract more members to the party, and pleaded for the youth to be remembered. Tarawalie stressed the need for everyone to follow party structures and concluded by saying that the party cannot progress without the youth.
NUAS President Musa Conteh acknowledged the end of his leadership tenure and emphasised the need for the party to respect its constitution. He mentioned that they were supposed to conduct their election last month but believes that the election is a process, adding that his support is for the party and not for individuals. He mentioned that NUAS members have stopped begging national leaders and have focused on upholding their integrity. He expressed willingness to work with the NYC whenever called upon.
NYC President Ansu Bernard thanked his predecessors for making their work easier and assured the National Executive that he will respect the core values of the party. He stressed the importance of a united party and urged young people to refrain from attacking the leadership of the party on social media. He warned that such actions could hinder the progress of the party and emphasised the need for respect towards those in strategic positions. He assured that under his leadership, the resolutions and recommendations of the tripartite agreement will be implemented for the progress of the country. Bernard called for unity within the party and stated that the fate of the country lies with the APC party. He commented on tribal issues, stating that Themne and Mende people do not hate each other and expressed the readiness of the young people to bring the party back to power.
Publicity Secretary of the APC party in Parliament, Nfa Koroma expressed disbelief with the energy spent on attacking national leaders and thanked the NYC for taking a stand against this behaviour. He assured the NYC of the support of APC Members of Parliament in this crusade.
National Secretary General of the party, Lansana Dumbuya mentioned that past leaders might have had disputes but are all united in their purpose to see a united and strong APC. He urged members to redirect their energy towards the common enemy, the SLPP, rather than attacking their own party. He said that they are doing this launch as a peaceful tour, and it will be a fruitful tour that will unite the party more than ever before.
The Secretary General stated that no matter how Maada Bio and the SLPP are thinking, APC is the next party in governance and there is nothing anyone can do about it, adding that all of this will happen if the youths are ready as they cannot do it alone, and the youth are the foot soldiers for the APC to take governance. He highlighted how people are supporting individuals to divide the party, emphasising that primary support should be for the party, not individuals. He urged young people to expose the bad governance of the SLPP instead of bashing the APC.
Secretary Dumbuya confirmed that the APC will not boycott the 2025 Housing Census, promising that they will participate fully throughout the process. He stated that the government did not want to implement the tripartite recommendations because they do not favour them, assuring that they will see that all recommendations are implemented. He urged people to stop playing “munku” politics and encouraged NUAS to hold a peaceful election and be responsible. He also warned members to uphold the party’s constitution.
In conclusion, he expressed his gratitude to those defending the party and the National Executive. After his statement he officially launched the regional tour.