Prominent lecturer and social analyst Dr. Victor Moinina has sparked fresh political debate by underscoring a historical pattern within Sierra Leone’s main opposition party the All People’s Congress (APC) of selecting relatively unpopular candidates who go on to become formidable contenders in national contests.
His observations come at a critical moment of intense internal party dynamics as the APC prepares for crucial lower level elections in 2026 and charts its strategy toward the 2028 presidential race.
In a detailed assessment aired on Liberty Online TV last year, Dr. Moinina, a respected academic voice in Sierra Leonean public affairs, unpacked what he described as a defining feature of APC’s political DNA: choosing aspirants who initially lack broad appeal but ultimately gain momentum and political traction over the course of an election cycle.
“The APC has a unique but controversial approach to leadership selection. What seems unpopular at first often becomes formidable with time. This pattern is part of their political DNA,” Dr. Moinina observed, framing his comments against the backdrop of ongoing infightings within the party’s grassroots structures.
His remarks have fueled analysis about the party’s internal democratic health, public perception, and prospects of reversing its electoral misfortune after losing the presidency in 2023 to the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
Dr. Moinina’s argument hinges on the APC’s experiential history in Sierra Leone’s democratic politics, where internal selection mechanisms and broader political dynamics have produced candidates who, while initially lacking mass popularity, were able to galvanise support as campaigns unfolded.
This pattern was exemplified in the lead‑up to the 2023 elections, when APC’s leadership selection generated mixed reactions among rank‑and‑file members. Critics within the party suggested that some aspirants were perceived as less appealing or less ready to challenge the SLPP’s incumbent leadership, yet these candidates gained traction over time as the political battle intensified.
Political analysts argue that APC’s internal process for choosing leaders traditionally dominated by party elders and powerful figures can produce what appear to be unlikely contenders at first.
Yet those same contenders can leverage party structures, resources, and grassroots networks to build momentum during the campaign period.
This phenomenon is not unique to Sierra Leone’s politics. Across democratic systems, political parties sometimes rally behind candidates whose popularity grows not initially from broad public appeal but through strategic endorsements, mobilization machinery, and narrative framing.
However, in Sierra Leone’s context, such selections have also sparked debate about internal party democracy and the role of grassroots membership in influencing leadership choices.
Dr. Moinina’s commentary came at a moment of heightened internal anticipation within the APC. The party’s lower‑level elections, crucial for consolidating political infrastructure ahead of national contests, are scheduled for 2026.
These internal polls are designed to elect local party officers and grassroots representatives whose support will be vital for the APC’s 2028 presidential bid.
Yet the build‑up to these lower‑level elections has been marked by infighting and procedural controversies. A number of petitions filed with the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) led the APC to suspend certain internal contests until the complaints are resolved a move its leadership insists is a normal part of a democratic process but that others interpret as evidence of division and unresolved tensions within its ranks.
Dr. Moinina warned that such disputes could weaken the party’s cohesion and electoral effectiveness if not managed swiftly and transparently.
“The APC must put its house in order before the lower‑level elections. These internal disputes could become a major stumbling block if the party wants to position itself as a credible alternative to the SLPP,” he said.
For many observers, the internal tensions underscore deeper questions about internal party democracy and the APC’s capacity to unify behind a single, compelling vision and candidate as the 2028 elections approach.
Broader Implications for Sierra Leone’s Democracy
Dr. Moinina’s reflections extend beyond APC’s internal mechanics
They touch on broader issues of governance, political representation, and democratic legitimacy in Sierra Leone. The history of multi‑party competition in the country since its return to democratic politics after military rule and one‑party politics has been marked by vigorous contestation, strategic realignments, and occasionally fractious party politics.
Observers note that party leadership and candidate selection processes in Sierra Leone have often been opaque, influenced by internal power brokers, and sometimes at odds with grassroots sentiments. Research on internal party democracy in the country suggests that local party officials and delegates often make choices that reflect entrenched interests rather than popular preference, sometimes resulting in disaffection among ordinary members.
In this context, the APC’s strategy of elevating initially unpopular candidates and then rallying behind them until they become competitive has pragmatic logic, but it also raises questions about how representative and responsive such selections are to broader public aspirations.
As the APC navigates its internal elections and prepares for the next national political cycle, Dr. Moinina’s insights are likely to resonate across political discourse. His analysis underscores the delicate balance between party unity, effective leadership selection, and electoral credibility a balance that every major political organization in Sierra Leone must strike to succeed.
With the SLPP firmly in power and gearing up for the 2028 elections, the ability of the APC to transform internal diversity into a source of strength rather than division could determine its fortunes in a highly competitive political landscape.
For now, Dr. Moinina’s observations remind Sierra Leoneans that history often offers clues to future political outcomes, and understanding the patterns of party politics is essential for informed citizen engagement and democratic consolidation.