In spite of a lingering political wrangling, the main opposition, All People’s Congress (APC) Executive is calling for lower-level elections to elect party officials including a new flag-bearer.
As the countdown to the August National Delegates Convention (NDC) begins, several flagbearer aspirants numbering 12, at the moment, are crisscrossing the country canvassing the grassroots and delegates for votes.
In the wake of this political euphoria begins, Freetown and several Regional and District headquarter towns have been painted red with photos or portraits of aspiring flagbearers believing that lower level elections would hold at all cost.
But, political commentators and analysts are expressing doubts about whether the internal elections would hold without Dr. Samura Kamara who many still see as the legitimate flagbearer and leader of the party.
Among the political analysts is Ibrahim Bangura, a teacher and human rights activists who remains hesitant to accept that APC will go ahead with the lower level elections amid an “unresolved political crisis in the party.”
As he spoke to Nightwatch press, he was blunt to say that, “it will be quite difficult for the Executive to hold lower-level elections for now until the political stalemate between APC and the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) is amicably resolved within the framework of the Tripartite Committee findings and recommendations.”
The Tripartite, a 21-man committee that comprises officials of SLPP and APC as well the Development Partners was set up in the aftermath of the June 24, 2023 elections to look into alleged electoral irregularities of the said elections and bring up findings and recommendations for reforms and most likely, accountability.
The Tripartite Committee, according to reports, has completed its task and has published 80 recommendations to strengthen Sierra Leone’s electoral system, and prevent the irregularities of June 24, 2023.
Unofficial sources say five recommendations have been added to 80 making them 85 for implementation. Currently, 80 are being implemented by parliament although such effort is seen by many as snail-pace.
Although shrouded in secrecy, most political analysts and observers in the public are of the firm conviction that Samura Kamara won the elections without a run off.
But, ECSL (Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone), a body mandated by law to conduct and supervise all public elections particularly presidential elections announced President Julius Maada Bio winner of the elections with a commanding lead.
It is therefore the political impasse between the opposition and the ruling party.
As the implementation is being of the recommendations are being bankrolled, Samura Kamara, in most of his public speeches, has been calling on grassroots members who form the majority to exercise patience and hold fast to prayers. By his looks, Kamara is certain for sure that the tide will turn in his favour one day come what may. He is known for throwing challenge to the aspiring APC flag-bearers that he alone could politically outweigh all flag-bearer aspirants put together. This stamen is being lent credence as only a handful of APC boys rally under the banner of the intending flag-bearers creating doubt about the future of a party known for large crowds on the streets and big votes during elections. Despite this great hope, Samura Kamara has been calling for “electoral justice” in respect of the June 24, 2023 elections with no one knowing what the phrase means although it has a legal connotation.
Those who seem to understand the phrase explain that “electoral justice” revolves around holding accountable, if there is evidence, those who play significant role in rigging the 2023 elections and undermine democracy in Sierra Leone.
Others also see the “electoral justice” concept as one that will bring reform to the electoral laws so that that there can be sanity in the country’s electoral system.
But, time will tell the exact meaning of the phrase with many saying “electoral justice” is here to stay and will stay for good.
A popular public opinion also holds that until the election stalemate is resolved, there is still an issue within the APC. The prevailing public opinion is being shaped by a team of somewhat loyal and ardent APC members who have visited several communities across the country explaining to them what “electoral justice” means for Sierra Leone body politic.
Their tours are endless and they seem to bear fruits as majority of APC members say they will not take part in 2028 elections until they get back their victory. The team has visited Port Loko, Makeni, Kono, Bo, Kambia and other major towns with one message-‘electoral justice.’
This effort also is being complemented a Council of APC media Bloggers who also have considerable role in popularizing the views and direction of Samura Kamara among the people of Sierra Leone. Hardly a day goes by without someone hearing one playing an audio from an APC Blogger explain to the people about the concept of “electoral justice” and what it means for Sierra Leone.
However, top APC politicians including ex-President, Ernest Bai Koroma seem not comfortable with such messages as they find it hard to counter them. In audio recently released by the former President who is currently in exile in Nigeria, pointed accusing fingers at Samura Kamara, his supposed successor, for sponsoring the bloggers to tear the party apart. Koroma wanted to see the bloggers stop what he sees as “insulting speeches” for the party to move on. But, the bloggers appears to have made up their minds, and the public seems to be with them. At the moment, key members of the public appeal to the APC Executive to hang heads with Samura Kamara to move the party but getting is an herculean task as many doubt his whereabouts.
Apart from the views expressed by political observers, the grassroots members of the party also doubt whether APC’s lower elections would take place according to schedule.
An APC grassroots member, Foday Sallu Kamara who speaks to this press sees Samura Kamara as a political heavyweight as he goes with the people’s voice.
“I know that the people of Sierra Leone strongly believe in Samura Kamara, and they are ready to listen and follow he says. I also know that if Samura Kamara talks to his people about letting go the elections, they may follow him although it could be difficult,” Pa Kamara told Nightwatch. Many grassroots members also say they will not participate in the polls if, at all, there will be elections in 2028 since they know that their votes will not be counted.
Time is moving fast and every passing day takes Sierra Leone to the next elections, but it is unclear whether the polls will hold without Samura Kamara.