Momentum for Dr. Ibrahim Bangura’s flagbearer bid within the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) is gaining strength, following a resounding endorsement from prominent Kono politicians during his recent visit to Mambolo, his hometown in Kambia District.
Veteran journalist and Kono APC member, Dr. David Tam-Baryoh, described Dr. Bangura as a “gem diamond” whose humility and appeal resonate far beyond his home district. Speaking before a packed field of supporters, Dr. Tam-Baryoh declared:
“The greatest quality this candidate has is humility. Even when he calls on children to follow him, he does so with respect. What I have seen and heard here impresses me greatly. You have a pleasant politician and a great man in Dr. Ibrahim Bangura.”
Dr. Tam-Baryoh went further, delivering what he termed a message from Kono District to the people of Mambolo and Kambia at large:
“We in Kono cherish diamonds. When we notice one anywhere, we go for it. You have a diamond here in Dr. Bangura. If you don’t value him, we will take him with us. With the humility he possesses, people want him everywhere, and we in Kono so dearly want him.”
This symbolic endorsement underscores the growing momentum behind Dr. Bangura’s campaign as the APC moves toward its lower-level elections and the National Delegates Convention (NDC) slated for early 2026. Political observers say the development signals an emerging cross-regional alliance, aligning closely with Dr. Bangura’s campaign message of Heal, Unite and Build (HUB).
Earlier at the gathering, Kono politician and former Minister, Karamoh Kabba—dressed in a white t-shirt emblazoned with Dr. Bangura’s portrait—hailed the people of Mambolo for producing “a fine and befitting leader” for the APC. He boldly asserted:
“This is the man who will become the next President of Sierra Leone. Any other candidate is simply ‘Banya-fakie’—a fake.”
As the APC flagbearer race heats up, endorsements from influential figures like Tam-Baryoh and Kabba are likely to strengthen Dr. Bangura’s standing within the party and beyond, positioning him as a formidable contender ahead of the convention.