Since his election in February, this year, Dr Samura Kamara is still scratching his head for a running mate to run with in the June 24, 2023 elections. Opposition leader, Honourable Chernor Maju Bah, Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki Sawyer, former Health Minister, Madina Rahman, and the business magnate, Mohamed Ormodu Kamara aka Jagaban are leading contenders for the second most important post in the party.
Honourable Bah has served his people as a parliamentarian who rose to the post of Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
He would preside over several debates when the speaker when the speaker was absent. He championed major investigations on the use and misuse of state resources with the Ebola probe being the most prominent.
Maju Bah kept his head above waters throughout his political career.He got no blemish on his service, and little wonder that former President Koroma chose him to help Dr Kamara in the 2018 elections.
He showed calm and composure after they lost the elections.
He accepted the elections result as they were, and rallied around his colleagues to the APC course. He played a great role in the restoration of peace and unity in the party. It was a time APC’s future was threatened by violence and disunity. He chose eight parliamentarians to represent APC’s interest in the ITGC (Interim Transitional Governance Council), an interim body set up to man APC’s affairs following the dissolution of the old executive.
As opposition leader in parliament, he has constructively criticised government on major policies and sensitive political issues in the country. APC members hardly forget about the manner in which Chernoh Bah took on government on the census, proportional representation and departisanisation of local councils bills when laid before parliament for debates. He has taken the greatest risks as he never runs away in the face of threats and violence from SLPP.
He has shown loyalty to Dr Samura Kamara as he has always been with him even during trying times.
Chernoh Bah would accompany and sit with Samura Kamara at the ACC during interrogations over corruption allegations. He is still with him, and signs are clear that he would always be with him anywhere he goes. Many in the APC are confident that Honourable Bah would emerge as running mate for the APC in days to come.
He was the running mate for 2018 and will also be the running mate for 2023.
Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki Sawyer is also another heavy political weight in Sierra Leone’s politics.
She is well respected within Freetown and beyond. Her love for the party has not wavered in the face of constant harassment and intimidation. Recently, Police officers moved in to arrest her for what they called disorderly behaviour.
However the arrest turned to a CID (Criminal Investigation Department) invitation for statement making. She is in court for the offence which police said the mayor allegedly committed when one of her councillors was arrested.The intimidation is to force the city mother to switch her loyalty to the SLPP, but has resisted to do so.
Again, former Deputy Minister of Health, Madina Rahman too is a strong APC member.
She is an asset to the party as she served the health ministry at a time the country was in a health crisis.
Ebola which struck Sierra Leone in May 2014 threatened the life of every citizen.
It was at that time Madina Rahman alongside her boss, Dr Abu Bakarr Fofanah weathered the storm to end the health scourge. Madina proved herself as a good captain for rowing through the perilous sea of Ebola. She fits into the axiom that rough seas make good captains. Among the contenders is Mohamed Ormodu Kamara aka ‘Money Jagaban.’ His name is just new in the party, but has moved crowds in the shirt time he appeared owing to his kindness. Ormodu Kamara does not spare his resources to help those in need.
It comes with no surprise when people follow him anywhere he goes. His presence in the APC is timely as the party has been in opposition for close to five years. APC needs money and ‘Money Jagaban’ is ready to provide the answer. The APC flag-bearer, Dr Kamara will have to choose one among those four to take the party back to glory in the June 24, 2023 elections.
Unlike in the recent past, APC now has a functional structure except. Posts formerly held by interim functionaries in the party have been filled with substantive officials after the Makeni convention.
The post of running mate still remains however vacant.
A senior APC official who preferred anonymity told this press that consultations for the selection of a running mate had been going on. “Soonest, APC will choose a suitable running mate that will add value to the party. Our aim is to win 2023 elections without a run-off. Therefore, we need a running that can help us get the victory we need,” he told this press.
The APC official however did not show the exact date a running mate would be elected. The APC flag-bearer, few days ago, met with former flag-bearer aspirants as a show of unity to lead the party to victory.
But, a running mate is urgently needed to hit the ground running. Time and tide wait for no man, and APC does not have enough time as June 24 fast approaches. APC stayed too long in the court, and must not stay long in having a running mate.
The incumbent party, SLPP has got a running mate, Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh who will run with President Bio in the coming elections. Why not APC?