Dr. Bangura delivers his declaration in the heart of the ruling SLPP stronghold.Speaking to a jam-packed, joyous crowd in Bo District on Friday, Dr. Ibrahim Bangura made it known that he would run for the All People’s Congress (APC) flagbearer position in the general elections of 2028. Party supporters from all over the southern provinces of Sierra Leone attended the rally, which was characterised by celebration, cultural displays, and an obvious display of support for his campaign.
Dr. Bangura, who was the first to resurrect the APC student union at Fourah Bay College following the 1992 coup, spoke to supporters about his political beginnings as a student. He claimed that reestablishing discipline and unity within the party was the driving force behind his candidacy and that this kind of internal cohesion would be necessary for the party to win elections in 2028.
“I am running for the APC leadership because I can bring this party together,” Dr. Bangura stated. “We will have a hard time winning in 2028 if there isn’t peace and discipline. I want to promote cooperation among members and restore respect for party structures.” He emphasised that, in his opinion, God has appointed leaders, and he took care to show respect for prominent APC members, such as Dr. Samura Kamara.
“Unresolved internal conflicts and divisions could seriously harm the APC’s chances,” Dr. Bangura cautioned.
He specifically urged the party to win the support of the South-East, characterising the area as a vital pillar required for any comeback to power rather than as an “add-on.” “The South-East’s full support is essential to the APC’s success, not merely an add-on. “It will be very difficult to get back to power without that support,” he said to the gathered audience.
Dr. Bangura advocated for a less hostile relationship between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the APC, going beyond party politics. He urged both parties to see one another as allies rather than adversaries, stating that Sierra Leone can only advance if its main political parties cooperate for the good of the country.
Priorities that Dr. Bangura outlined in his broader vision for the nation include affordable food, clean water, dependable electricity, high-quality education, better roads, and more robust social services. He thanked Southern supporters for their “warm embrace” as he concluded his speech and urged party members to put aside personal grievances, animosity, and internal strife for the party’s overall success.
