As Sierra Leone’s political climate edges toward the crucial 2028 elections, all eyes are increasingly focused on the All People’s Congress (APC), the country’s main opposition party. After a bitterly contested 2023 election and a series of internal wrangling, a pressing question looms large: How will the APC come to agree on one presidential candidate for 2028? This is no small inquiry—it is a complex and consequential matter, and the path to answering it is riddled with challenges that will test the party’s unity, strategy, and leadership like never before.
The APC has always been a party of formidable grassroots strength and widespread national appeal. However, in recent years, it has been plagued by divisions, infighting, legal entanglements, and leadership tussles that have eroded its public image and organizational coherence. The issue of selecting a presidential flagbearer is not merely about choosing a candidate—it is about survival, revival, and the possibility of reclaiming State House from the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in 2028. But unifying around one candidate will be a monumental task.
The APC’s internal fractures became increasingly visible during the 2018 and 2023 elections. In both, the party failed to present a united front. In 2018, despite rallying behind Dr. Samura Kamara, many within the party remained lukewarm in their support due to unresolved issues following the end of Ernest Bai Koroma’s presidency. By 2023, internal confusion, coupled with public allegations of rigging and a controversial electoral commission, deepened mistrust not just within the APC, but between the party and state institutions.
Even today, factions aligned with former President Ernest Bai Koroma, Samura Kamara loyalists, younger progressive members, northern traditionalist blocs, and diaspora stakeholders all represent divergent interests and visions for the party’s future. Each believes it holds the key to electoral victory—and therein lies the challenge. Who among these interest groups will concede for the greater good?
Dr. Samura Kamara, the two-time presidential aspirant, remains one of the most popular and tested figures within the APC. His supporters argue that he has earned the right to be given the party’s ticket once again, especially after his contentious loss in 2023, which many in the APC believe was due to electoral malpractice rather than voter rejection. Kamara’s national recognition, economic credentials, and diplomatic experience make him a formidable candidate.
However, his ongoing court case, age factor, and the argument for generational change are factors that may diminish his chances in 2028. Younger aspirants within the party see his repeated candidacy as a hindrance to fresh momentum. If he is chosen again, it could alienate sections of the party yearning for new leadership. Yet, if he is discarded without due consultation, it could fracture the party base, especially in the north and among the diaspora, who are his strongholds.
One of the most compelling developments in Sierra Leonean politics is the rising call for a generational shift. The APC is not immune to this tide. Younger party members—many of them professionals, activists, and returnees—are now more vocal than ever before. They seek a candidate who can inspire the youth, command the respect of international partners, and speak to 21st-century development issues like innovation, climate change, digital governance, and inclusive growth.
Names such as Chernor Bah, Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray (if politically rehabilitated), and other lesser-known technocrats have surfaced in internal discussions and on social media. These figures represent a new breed of APC hopefuls. However, their chances of emerging as the flagbearer are slim unless they can build coalitions across the older power blocs—a task easier said than done.
In Sierra Leone, regional and ethnic balance remains an unspoken yet powerful determinant in party politics. The APC, traditionally strong in the north and western areas, must consider whether its next flagbearer can expand the party’s appeal in the south and east. Whoever emerges must not only consolidate the APC base but also reach across traditional SLPP territories.
This further complicates the candidate selection. Some have argued for a running mate or even a presidential candidate from outside the party’s traditional strongholds. However, this bold move risks backlash from northern stakeholders who may see it as a betrayal of legacy and loyalty.
The APC’s diaspora members wield considerable influence—financially, strategically, and in shaping public discourse. Many of them supported Samura Kamara in 2023 and are pushing for better internal democracy and accountability. If ignored or sidelined in the candidate selection process, they could withdraw their support or back alternative candidates. The party must find a way to bring the diaspora meaningfully into the decision-making process—perhaps through a dedicated diaspora conference or representation in the delegate system.
Coming to an agreement on one presidential candidate for 2028 will require not just political calculation but also emotional intelligence, compromise, and statesmanship. The APC must hold an inclusive, transparent, and credible national convention. The process must not be manipulated by former power brokers or corrupted by money politics. Any perception of bias could lead to defections, parallel campaigns, or even the emergence of an independent candidate, which would be disastrous.
The APC also needs a “unity pact”—a binding agreement among aspirants to support whoever wins the flagbearer contest and to work collectively for party victory. This was attempted before but failed. In 2028, failure is not an option.
The 2028 election may seem far off, but for the APC, the time to prepare is now. The decision about who leads the party into that electoral battle could determine whether it returns to power or continues to languish in opposition. The process will be tough, emotional, and politically hazardous. But if the APC can rise above personal ambition and factional ego, and instead prioritize unity, strategic planning, and national appeal, it may yet find that one candidate who can lead the party—and Sierra Leone—into a brighter future.