Dr.Ibrahim Bangura being mobbed in Kenema by a crowd of supporters
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting golden hues across the skyline, Dr. Ibrahim Bangura, presumptive flagbearer of the All People’s Congress (APC), broke his fast in solemn reflection. His Ramadan Iftar was not merely a moment of personal devotion, but a symbolic act; an offering of unity, resilience, and hope for a nation shackled by the chains of bad governance.
On Friday, 21st March 2025, Bangura and his entourage arrived in Bo and Kenema, carrying not just bags of rice and gallons of oil, but a message of liberation. The streets of those southern and eastern cities, long considered political fortresses of the SLPP, resounded with the rhythmic beats of “Bubu cultural” dancers, a defiant melody of resistance and steadfastness.
A people undeterred, a party unbowed
The APC in the South and East has long been a flame that refuses to be extinguished, burning steadily in the face of relentless political intimidation and violence. In every electoral cycle, these brave men and women have stood tall, their loyalty unwavering even as they bore the brunt of political repression. The 2023 elections saw them besieged yet unbroken, their votes suppressed, their voices stifled, yet they remained unshaken in their belief that Sierra Leone deserved better.
It is this undying spirit that Dr. Bangura came to honor. Sylvester Sheku Swarray, the coordinator of the donation drive, announced that each district in the South would receive 100 50kg bags of rice and over 70 gallons of oil, while their comrades in the East would receive 200 25kg bags and 100 gallons of oil each. But these were more than mere commodities; they were a reaffirmation of solidarity, a reminder that the APC stands with its people, no matter the adversity.
Voices of commitment, echoes of hope
The Bo District APC Chairman, Amadu Keita, received the donation with gratitude, but his words carried a deeper weight. “This party’s unity is the key to our victory in 2028,” he declared, his voice firm with conviction. “For that cause, I am willing to sacrifice even my chairmanship.”
From Moyamba, Chairman Bammy Kendor echoed this urgency saying that the APC was at a crossroads. The choice, he inferred, was to either reclaim Sierra Leone’s destiny or let this nation continue its descent into darkness. He urged all to commit, with all their might, to bringing back governance that serves the people.
In Kenema, the APC District Secretary, Comrade Prince Bindi, standing in for Chairman Prince Kamara and the district executive, alongside Chairman Njajua of Kailahun, underscored the significance of the moment. “Dr. Bangura is not just speaking of change; he is surrounding himself with serious, capable people, proving that he is ready to lead APC and Sierra Leone back to prosperity.”
Breaking the chains of division, calling for action
As the speeches filled the air with renewed determination, Dr. Bangura took the stage. The crowd leaned in, expectant. He spoke not just as a leader, but as a compatriot, as a man who had heard their cries and shared their burdens.
“This is not just a donation,” he said, his voice steady. “This is a demonstration of love, from a position of conscience.”
His words resonated through the gathering, a testament to the essence of true leadership—one that sees, that hears, that acts. “This is the holy month of Ramadan, a time of sacrifice, of reflection. It is also Lent, a season of renewal. And what greater renewal can there be than to reclaim our country from the depths of suffering?”
He acknowledged the women within his movement, whose tireless contributions had made this mission possible. He assured his comrades that this was merely the beginning, pledging a district-to-district tour, with Bonthe District as his next stop.
But beyond the applause, beyond the euphoria of the moment, lay the unspoken truth: Sierra Leone stands at the edge of a precipice. The SLPP has led the country into economic ruin, staining its image and subjecting its people to untold hardship. Yet, bad governance knows no ethnicity. It does not spare one tribe and afflict another. It does not distinguish between the North and the South, the East and the West. It devours all in its path.
This is no longer a fight between parties. It is a fight between progress and stagnation, justice and impunity, prosperity and suffering. To every Sierra Leonean, especially those in the South and East, this is your call to action. Let not tribal affiliations blind you; let not old wounds divide you. Stand together, not as Mende or Temne, not as North or South, but as one people, under one flag, striving for one future.
For decades, the APC has stood as a beacon of hope, even in the harshest storms. To those who have endured in Bo, Kenema, Moyamba, Pujehun, Bonthe, and Kailahun, your loyalty is the bedrock upon which victory shall be built. And to those who have hesitated, who have feared the reprisals of political bullies, the time for fear is over.
Join this movement. Stand with the APC. Let us, together, rescue Sierra Leone from the hands of those who have turned governance into a tool of oppression. Let us return dignity to our nation and prosperity to our people.
The battle for 2028 has begun. The fight for a new Sierra Leone is now.
