By: A Political Observer
I am not a member of the All People’s Congress, and I state categorically that I never will be. Having lived most of my life in Sierra Leone, I have my own grievances against them – bans and beefs, as it were. I believe they squandered opportunities to take this nation to where it ought to be. But that is a conversation for another day, so please, ask no further questions on that.
However, as a keen observer of the manoeuvres within our political landscape, both in the ruling party and the opposition, I find myself drawn to comment on what I am witnessing. The opposition APC has recently caught my attention, not for the fractious infighting or the predictable threats of withdrawal from governance, but for one individual who has thrown his hat into the ring for the party’s flag bearer position.The field is crowded, as expected. It is a tapestry of the experienced, the moneyed, the young, and the neophytes. There are those who rely on war chests and well-oiled political machines. There are others who beat the tribal and regional drums with practised rhythm, hoping to rally their base. And then there is Dr. Ibrahim Bangura.
He is the one who has caught my attention.
A Demeanour That Disarms
In an arena typically defined by bombast and bluster, Dr. Bangura moves with a calm demeanour and a quiet disposition that is almost disarming. He has thrown himself into what can only be described as a costly minefield. Politics in Sierra Leone is not for the faint of heart, yet he navigates it with an ingenuity that is rare and a serenity that is almost alien to their ranks.
Where others shout, he speaks. Where others threaten, he persuades. Where others rely on the old playbook of regionalism and patronage, he has chosen a different path.
A Strategy of Precision, Not Noise
What sets Dr. Bangura apart is not merely his temperament, but his method. While his contemporaries are flaunting wealth, flashing connections, and leaning heavily on ethnic mobilization, Dr. Bangura has been quietly weaving his name into the hearts and minds of the people. His strategy is devoid of noise but packed with laser-like precision. He is not campaigning in the traditional sense; he is connecting.
He understands that the Sierra Leonean electorate is evolving. The people are tired of the same divisive tactics. They are weary of politicians who show up only during election cycles with bags of rice and empty promises. Dr. Bangura offers something different: resonance.
Messages That Transcend Partisanship
He possesses the rare ability to craft messages that penetrate not only the APC base but also appeal to the more liberal elements within the SLPP. In a deeply polarized political environment, this is no small feat. He speaks to aspirations, not affiliations. He talks about the future, not just the past. He offers ideas, not just identity.
This cross-cutting appeal is not accidental. It is the product of tact, wit, and guile combined – a triple threat that is difficult to counter. In a two-party system where elections are often won or lost on the margins, a candidate who can pull votes from across the aisle is not just an asset but a game-changer.
The Making of a President
The presidency demands more than connections and deep pockets. It requires vision, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and the ability to unite a fractured nation. It requires a steady hand in times of crisis and a cool head in the heat of partisan warfare.
Dr. Bangura seems to possess these qualities in abundance. His calm is not passivity; it is control. His quiet is not weakness; it is confidence. His tact is not compromise; it is wisdom.
Why He Is the Best for the APC
For a party seeking to return to power, the APC must ask itself a difficult question: Do they want to win back the State House, or do they want to win back the people? If it is the latter, Dr. Bangura is their best prospect.
He offers the party a chance to rebrand, to shed the baggage of the past, and present a new face to the electorate. He offers a bridge to those who have felt alienated by the old guard. He offers a vision that can compete not only in the APC strongholds but in the so-called “swing” constituencies where elections are truly decided.
The other candidates have their strengths. Some have experience, others have resources, and a few have raw political muscle. But Dr. Bangura has something they cannot buy or manufacture: authenticity married to intellect, and ambition tempered by serenity.
I wish him well. I don’t support the party but support the idea that leadership should be about more than noise and money. It should be about substance. And in Dr. Ibrahim Bangura, substance has finally found a candidate.
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