There’s an old saying that a messenger is not known in his homeland. Not that people do not know Dr Ibrahim Bangura; not everyone knows his worth to the All People’s Congress (APC) as the political institution he chose since he was born. But it’s the usual mischief and personal interest over common interest that lead a few to peddle misrepresentations and deliberately biased arguments about such a selfless and highly committed APC faithful as Dr Ibrahim Bangura.
Let me start from the top as a distant observer of the inner workings of the APC.
In 2023, on the final day of the party’s National Delegates Conference in Makeni, when APC flag bearer (FB) aspirants were at each others’ throats over a procedural disagreement for the running of the flagbearer election, and trust was in short supply among them, it was Dr Ibrahim Bangura whom the party had to call upon. Though he was in hospital, due to the fact that he was involved in a life-risking car accident while traveling to the Convention, he ignored his own health and doctor’s advise when the party leadership called upon him. He left his hospital bed to go to the hall to save the day by steering the voting process with credibility and integrity, much to the satisfaction of everyone. This man has also contributed immensely to the organization of the party and has chaired critical committees including Manifesto, Peace, and participated in the Constitutional Review Committee that midwifed the new APC 2023 Constitution.
And his sacrifice and commitment did not start recently. At the early age of 15 he established the sons and daughters of APC, an organization to promote awareness and political orientation among the children of prominent party stalwarts.
As a student at Fourah Bay College, he spearheaded the formation of the National Union of APC students across the country’s universities. Dr Bangura was also pivotal in promoting and maintaining the values of the APC, which at the time, was in opposition, and it was even risky to associate with the party. It was under such circumstances that comrades like Ibrahim Bangura took the bold step to promote and defend the All People’s Congress party. This is a man of sterner stuff as Shakespeare would say. His visionary leadership of the APC student body at FBC resulted in the much vibrant elite National Union of APC Students (NUAS).
So, let’s be very clear about who the APC should elect as flag bearer to face the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP); a party with a track record to not just unleash violence during elections, but also one that doesn’t hesitate to resort to electoral coups when it’s rejected by voters. This was the case in 2023; even with clear signs of inconsistencies in the tallying and counting, the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone went ahead to announce the sitting president as winner of the presidential polls. This didn’t go down well with many international elections observer missions including Carter Center, the EU and a local elections observation and monitoring organization called NEW (National Elections Watch) but still the SLPP got away with that injustice.
That’s why electing the right candidate with the necessary caliber and timber to confront the SLPP is very crucial for the main opposition party to secure its victory in the first round in the next general elections. This is very important. It is for this reason many have observed that Dr Ibrahim Bangura’s political pedigree coupled with his expertise and experience in peace building, security sector reform, gender and continental integration, as well as his results-oriented monitoring expertise, will be a great advantage to the APC ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.
As a matter of fact, Dr Bangura will be a great advantage to Sierra Leone given his professional background both as a scholar and practitioner who has made a name for himself and brought significant gains to Sierra Leone through his role as an educator. This man is an asset to this country. His experience in peace building, youth inclusion in decision making, security sector reform, gender equality will continue to be a big blessing for APC particularly in healing the wounds of divisions, uniting the people for a better future, and building bridges for national reconciliation and reconstruction.
This is the way forward for this poverty-stricken nation of Sierra Leone. I only hope APC members and supporters especially the grassroots won’t let this opportunity slip through their fingers like sand. APC is Blessed to have Dr Ibrahim Bangura not only as a member, but the lead flagbearer aspirant with huge potential to return the party to governance in 2028.
Vote Marah, Save SLAJ