By Musa Paul Feika
As Sierra Leone steadily moves towards the 2028 general elections, majority of the elected lower level delegates of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) are urging their colleagues and would-be delegates in subsequent party elections to put competence, experience, national appeal and visionary leadership and grassroots-reach-out above tribal and regional considerations when selecting its next Presidential Flagbearer.
According to most of these several APC delegates who have so far spoken to this press, Hon. Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah, popularly known as Hon. Chericoco, possesses all those qualities they believe are needed to lead the party back to State House in 2028.
“We believe the time has come for the APC to demonstrate that leadership should be earned through service, integrity, competence and performance, and not through tribal or regional considerations. If we truly want to win the next election, we must unite behind the candidate with the broadest national appeal,” elected delegates have said to this press.
These men and women argue that recent APC Ward and Constituency Executive Elections have strengthened their conviction and confidence in Hon. Chericoco’s presidential fitness and capability. They claimed that reports from several districts indicate growing support for him among newly elected Ward and Constituency executives, while also pointing to what they described as encouraging backing from parts of the South-East, the Western Area and many northern districts. However, they acknowledged that these assessments have not been officially confirmed by the party.
“Hon. Chericoco has remained loyal to the APC through its successes and its difficult moments. His dedication to the party and connection with the grassroots makes him the strongest candidate in the flagbearer race,” one newly elected delegate stated.
The delegates have further noted that Hon. Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah’s political journey has equipped him with extensive organizational and legislative experiences. They pointed to his previous roles as Regional Secretary, Deputy Regional Chairman, Member of Parliament since 2007, Chairman of key Parliamentary Committees, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Leader of the Opposition and the APC’s Vice Presidential Running Mate in both the 2018 and 2023 general elections.
“Very few people within the APC can match his credentials and depth of experience. He understands the party from the grassroots to the national level,” another elected delegate remarked.
They also praised what they described as Hon. Chericoco’s “close relationship with youth groups, women’s organizations, constituency groups and community groups and their leaders across the country, as they pointed out his easy-to-access quality has earned him widespread respect and acceptance among the wider spectrum of the APC members, supporters and admirers.
According to some known delegates from camps of some flagbearers, Hon. Chericoco has a longstanding commitment to supporting community developments through educational support, youth empowerment initiatives, sporting activities and charitable programmes, that stands far on record than most of the flagbearer aspirants now basking as philanthropists and concerned politicians at this eleventh hour. What Hon. Bah has done over the years to consolidate the party and keep its membership glued together cannot just be forgotten and it is those long term investments in the APC party that has earned him this unmatched strength and popularity among elected delegates.
On party unity, the delegates describe Hon. Chericoco “as calm, approachable and committed to dialogue.”
“The APC needs a unifier. We believe Chericoco has the right temperament, the candor, the gentility as a leader to bring the party together and expand its support across the country,” they noted.
The delegates further argued that his ability to build relationships across political, regional and religious lines makes him an attractive candidate capable of appealing to a broad cross-section of Sierra Leoneans to embrace peace, unity, national cohesion and overall national socioeconomic development.
“As a devout Muslim who has consistently promoted religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, we believe he represents the inclusive leadership the country needs,” another delegate added.
They also commended his contributions in Parliament, saying his knowledge of constitutional and legislative matters has earned him respect from colleagues across the political divide.
While acknowledging that several distinguished aspirants are expected to contest for the APC flagbearer ticket, the delegates maintained that Hon. Chericoco’s combination of experience, loyalty, grassroots support and national appeal makes him their preferred choice.
“Our appeal is simple. The APC must reject all forms tribal politics and choose competence, experience and unity. We believe Hon. Chericoco is the candidate best positioned to lead the party to victory in 2028.” They concluded.
As preparations for the APC flagbearer contest continues, delegates will ultimately determine who carries the party’s presidential banner into the 2028 general elections. For these delegates, however, the central message remains that the party’s future should be shaped by merit, experience and national unity rather than tribal or regional considerations.