When Dr Ibrahim Bangura began his bid for the APC flag bearer, little did we know he was going to become the lead candidate within the first six months of his campaign. Latest observations by this medium reveal that Dr Ibrahim Bangura is the lead aspirant in the race for the upcoming flag bearer elections at the National Delegates Conference slated for February 2026. “It looks like everyday this young man’s position is being strengthened as the man to watch in next year’s NDC,” a member of the Kono executive said yesterday.
While the preferences of a considerable number of party members for certain candidates have drastically decreased, the popularity of Dr Ibrahim Bangura has increased dramatically over the course of the last three months.
Osman Conteh, a veteran of the APC, observed that the shift in public sentiment and preference is due to the fact that a lot more about the candidate is now in the public domain and more people know more about him now. “The recent launch of the “Friends of Dr Ibrahim Bangura” at Fourah Bay field successfully raised public awareness about the history, profile, character traits and contributions of Dr Bangura to not just the body of knowledge in the field of peace and conflict management and resolution, but also how he has helped the APC party navigate certain critical situations,” noted Mohamed Jalloh, a resident of Central One in Freetown. He also pointed out that “He (Dr Ibrahim Bangura) now has name recognition and he is the lead candidate for the party’s leadership position.
Margret Massaquoi, a student of IAMTEC opined that the unnecessary attacks directed at Dr Ibrahim Bangura’s personality by other flag bearer contenders has lifted public interest in him and also hypersonically raised his public profile as a calm and respectful leader. She quoted him as once saying that anyone who is serious about leadership should lead with respect. This is one character trait that has endeared Dr Bangura to many Sierra Leone especially the grassroots. He is humble and very respectful.
The APC should make no mistake but elect Dr Ibrahim Bangura as flag bearer come 2026.
Quite recently, the Associate Professor Ibrahim Bangura of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, was awarded the 2024/2025 Africa Oxford Visiting Fellowship Award. The award is a 12-month fellowship that offers exceptional African scholars the opportunity to develop their research profile and build an international network in collaboration with Oxford-based scholars.
Also, the Oxford Fellowship comes on the back of Prof. Bangura’s appointment as an Associate Professor by the University of Sierra Leone in 2022 in recognition of his enormous contribution to research. This highly accredited Sierra Leonean scholar is well known for his extensive publications with some of the most reputable publishers including Routledge and Zed Books. With a long list of over 50 articles published in highly respected journals, Prof Bangura currently provides mentoring support to young African scholars, through the African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA.
In addition, the unassuming academic and policy expert has spent the last eighteen years advising governments, development partners and civil society across four continents and in over 40 countries. As a Resulted Oriented Monitoring (ROM) Expert, Prof. Bangura has assessed over 100 European Union (EU) funded projects and programmes on peacebuilding, human rights, governance, and democracy in over 30 countries in Africa.
His most recent missions include the assessment of the EU’s funding to the Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia, and the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission. In the field of security and justice, Prof. Bangura has distinguished himself offering technical advice and training services on Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants in a number of countries including Colombia, South Sudan, Uganda, Sudan, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Somalia, and Liberia.
Dr. Bangura is more than a scholar and professional; he is a passionate advocate for social justice. His work intersects with issues of equity, access, and empowerment, particularly for marginalized communities. By championing the rights of the underprivileged, he exemplifies the values of empathy and compassion.
Defending his stance on social justice is crucial, as it underscores the importance of using one’s platform to drive meaningful change. In a time when silence often prevails, Dr. Bangura’s voice is a powerful testament to the responsibility that comes with knowledge and influence.
Defending the values and integrity of Dr. Ibrahim Bangura is not merely about advocating for an individual; it is about championing the ideals of integrity, social justice, education, and resilience. His life and work serve as a powerful reminder of the impact that one person can have on the world.
As we navigate the complexities of modern society, it is imperative to uplift and support those who embody these values, ensuring that their influence continues to inspire future generations.
Dr. Ibrahim Bangura is not just a leader—he is the change we need.
