Deveaux Declares Dr. Ibrahim Bangura APC‘s Next Flagbearer
Former Deputy Minister & Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary Maps Ward, District & Executive Strategy for 80% Delegate Target
By Nelson Adebayo Johnson
Former Deputy Minister of Information and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All People’s Congress, Cornelius Deveaux, on Sunday declared Dr. Ibrahim Bangura as the APC’s next flagbearer during a gathering in Waterloo. Speaking as keynote speaker on behalf of Dr. Bangura, Deveaux outlined a delegate strategy, categorized party coordinators, and launched what he described as a “Love Not Hate, Build Bridges Not Walls” campaign.
The event brought together members of the DIB Movement, DIB Ladies, Gen Z 4 Change, and ward coordinators under the DIN structure. Deveaux addressed them for over 40 minutes, combining endorsement, electoral mathematics, and instructions for mobilization ahead of district, constituency, and national convention elections.
Direct Endorsement and Public Recognition
Deveaux opened his address with a declaration of Dr. Bangura’s visibility and standing among the public. “Dr. Ibrahim Bangura — you cannot call his name where people do not recognize his name. In the Bible and the Qur’an he quoted. In this generation, Dr. Ibrahim Bangura is the chosen one,” he said.
The statement was met with applause and chants from supporters. Many attendees held placards bearing Dr. Bangura’s image and wore T-shirts branded with the DIB Movement logo. Deveaux returned to the theme of recognition several times, suggesting that Dr. Bangura’s name had moved beyond party circles.
He extended the claim to religious spaces. “In the mosque and the church, our leaders are preaching about Dr. Ibrahim Bangura,” Deveaux told the gathering. The reference to both Islamic and Christian contexts appeared intended to position Dr. Bangura as a figure with cross-community appeal.
Deveaux did not provide specific examples of sermons or religious discussions during the address. He framed the comment as an observation of public discourse rather than an official endorsement from religious institutions.
Delegate Mathematics: 1,800 and 80%
The central strategic portion of Deveaux’s speech focused on the APC’s delegate system. He stated that the party has 1,800 delegates who will vote at the National Convention to elect the flagbearer. From that number, he set a target of 80% support for Dr. Bangura.
“The party has 1,800 delegates. So our responsibility is to work as one to have at least 80 percent of the delegates’ votes,” Deveaux said. “This is why Dr. Ibrahim Bangura decided to launch the ‘Love Not Hate, Build Bridges Not Walls’ campaign. And the slogan he initiated is ‘Heal, Unite, Build’.”
The 80% figure translates to 1,440 delegates. Deveaux did not explain how the target was calculated, but he presented it as the threshold needed to secure the nomination. He emphasized that achieving it would require coordinated work across all levels of the party structure.
He linked the target directly to the campaign theme. “Love Not Hate, Build Bridges Not Walls” was presented as both a political strategy and a method for engaging delegates. The slogan “Heal, Unite, Build” was repeated at intervals during the address.
Categorization of Coordinators
Deveaux spent several minutes categorizing the types of party coordinators present and their roles in mobilization. He corrected an earlier formulation and specified four categories based on ward, district, and executive levels.
“He also categorized us in four,” Deveaux said. “From ward, district and secondly, some of you guys are in ward executives but not in the constituencies executives and national executives.”
The categorization clarified the structure he expects coordinators to operate within:
- Ward-level coordinators — responsible for community and polling center engagement
- District-level coordinators — responsible for coordinating across wards within a district
- Secondly — a secondary layer of coordination, which Deveaux did not define in detail but presented as distinct from primary ward and district roles
- Ward executives who are not in constituency executives and national executives — party officials holding ward positions but not serving at higher executive levels
Deveaux emphasized the distinction between ward executives and those serving at constituency or national level. He noted that some party members hold ward positions without having roles in constituency or national structures, and said this group had specific responsibilities in delegate outreach.
“Some of you guys are in ward executives but not in the constituencies executives and national executives,” he repeated. “And we have more work to be done.”
The categorization appeared designed to ensure that coordinators understood where they fit within the mobilization plan, particularly those operating at ward level without higher executive positions.
Instruction for Constituency Outreach
After outlining the categories, Deveaux turned to the practical task of delegate engagement. He told coordinators that the work must begin at constituency level and must be comprehensive.
“Each constituency delegate — we have the responsibility now to reach each and every one of them in their various places, that this is our party and we are all one, but the right person to cast our vote for in the APC is Dr. Ibrahim Bangura,” he said.
The instruction placed responsibility on coordinators to identify delegates in their areas and engage them directly. Deveaux stressed the phrase “each and every one,” suggesting a door-to-door or one-on-one approach rather than reliance on mass meetings alone.
He framed the engagement in terms of party unity. “That this is our party and we are all one,” he said, before restating his endorsement: “But the right person to cast our vote for in the APC is Dr. Ibrahim Bangura.”
Call to Action Ahead of Conventions
Deveaux concluded the strategic section of his address with a direct instruction to coordinators as they left the meeting. “So as we are going after this meeting, please reach out to people who are eligible to vote in the upcoming elections — from district, constituency convention, district, and the National Convention,” he said.
The sequence he outlined begins with district elections, followed by constituency conventions, and culminates in the National Convention. He presented district and constituency elections as the foundation for the party’s flagbearer selection.
“As we approach the district and constituency elections, this is the foundation for all of us in the APC to stand firm to choose our leaders that will become the legitimate members to cast their votes at the National Convention to choose our next flagbearer,” he stated. “And that person is Dr. Ibrahim Bangura.”
By describing district and constituency elections as “the foundation,” Deveaux positioned them as the critical first step. He suggested that the choice of leaders at those levels would determine who becomes delegates and, by extension, who decides the flagbearer.
Campaign Philosophy and Slogan
Throughout the address, Deveaux referenced Dr. Bangura’s campaign philosophy. He named it “Love Not Hate, Build Bridges Not Walls” and identified the slogan as “Heal, Unite, Build.”
He did not provide a detailed policy breakdown of the three components during this address. The phrase “Heal, Unite, Build” was repeated after he introduced it, and supporters responded by chanting the words.
The campaign name and slogan introduce a unifying message. In the context of internal party contests, where factions often compete, the language of healing and unity may appeal to members seeking to avoid division.
Deveaux linked the philosophy to Dr. Bangura’s approach without elaborating on specific policy proposals. The focus remained on the message and its application to delegate mobilization.
Economic Argument
Deveaux also addressed national economic conditions as part of his endorsement. He argued that Dr. Bangura possesses international connections that could address Sierra Leone’s economic challenges.
“Dr. Ibrahim Bangura has the international connections to relieve Sierra Leone from the economic crisis we are facing, with breast concern for the youth and the women,” he said.
The phrase “breast concern” appeared to emphasize priority attention to youth and women. Deveaux did not detail which international connections he referred to or what specific economic measures Dr. Bangura would pursue.
The statement positioned Dr. Bangura as having external networks and experience that could be applied to domestic economic issues. It added an economic dimension to the endorsement beyond party politics.
Attendance and Atmosphere
The Waterloo gathering included representatives from several support structures. Members of the DIB Movement formed the largest group, wearing branded apparel and carrying banners. DIB Ladies occupied a designated section and were observed taking notes during the address.
Gen Z 4 Change members sat toward the front and were vocal in responding to Deveaux’s statements. They stood and chanted the “Heal, Unite, Build” slogan when Deveaux introduced it. Their participation was noticeable throughout the event.
Ward coordinators under the DIN structure attended but did not address the gathering. They were seen consulting notes during the section on coordinator categories and delegate outreach.
The atmosphere was energetic, with applause following Deveaux’s main declarations. The declaration that Dr. Bangura is “the chosen one” drew one of the loudest responses.
Context: APC’s Internal Electoral Process
The APC’s process for selecting a flagbearer begins with internal elections at district and constituency levels. These elections produce delegates who are then eligible to vote at the National Convention.
The number of delegates per constituency varies based on party rules and the size of the constituency. Deveaux cited a total of 1,800 delegates for the convention, a figure that reflects the party’s current structure.
District elections typically select district executives and produce district-level delegates. Constituency conventions then select constituency executives and additional delegates. The delegates from all districts and constituencies converge at the National Convention to vote for the flagbearer.
Deveaux’s focus on district and constituency elections reflects the importance of these early stages. Control of delegate selection at the lower levels influences the outcome at the convention.
Analysis of Strategy and Messaging
Deveaux’s address combined several elements: a direct endorsement, a numerical target, a structural plan for coordinators, and a unifying campaign message.
The endorsement was unequivocal. By stating “Dr. Ibrahim Bangura Is Our APC Next Flagbearer” as the headline message, Deveaux positioned Dr. Bangura ahead of other potential aspirants in the Waterloo area.
The 80% delegate target provides a measurable goal for supporters. It moves the discussion from general support to specific numbers, which can guide mobilization efforts.
The categorization of coordinators addresses a practical challenge in party organization: ensuring that members at different levels understand their roles. By distinguishing ward executives who are not in constituency or national executives, Deveaux acknowledged a segment of the party structure that is often critical to ground-level work.
The “Love Not Hate, Build Bridges Not Walls” campaign and “Heal, Unite, Build” slogan introduce a message of unity. In a competitive internal race, such messaging may differentiate Dr. Bangura’s campaign from more confrontational approaches.
The reference to religious discourse and international economic connections broadens the appeal beyond party structures. It suggests that Dr. Bangura’s candidacy is being discussed in community and international contexts, not only within APC meetings.
Implications for Upcoming Elections
Deveaux’s instructions to coordinators set expectations for immediate activity. The directive to reach “each and every” delegate places the work of mobilization at the local level and requires organization and record-keeping.
The categorization of coordinators provides a framework for assigning responsibilities. Ward coordinators and ward executives not in higher executive positions will likely bear the brunt of direct voter and delegate contact.
District coordinators will need to consolidate information from wards and ensure that outreach is coordinated across the district. The secondary layer of coordination mentioned by Deveaux may serve as a support structure for this process.
The success of the 80% target will depend on execution at these levels. Waterloo, as a densely populated urban constituency, offers both opportunities and challenges for delegate outreach.
Reactions and Next Steps
While Deveaux was the sole speaker during the portion observed by this reporter, reactions from attendees indicated support for his message. Applause, chants, and note-taking suggested engagement with the content.
No representatives of other potential flagbearer campaigns were present at the gathering. The event was organized as a support meeting for Dr. Bangura.
With district and constituency elections on the horizon, similar meetings are expected across the country as aspirants and their representatives engage party structures. Deveaux’s Waterloo address provides an early public statement of strategy for Dr. Bangura’s campaign.
Coordinators leaving the meeting were expected to begin the outreach process outlined by Deveaux. The effectiveness of that outreach will become clearer as district and constituency elections approach.