By Nelson Adebayo Johnson
Two prominent leaders of the Jagaban Movement officially declared support for Dr. Ibrahim Bangura on Sunday during a well-attended meeting organized by DIB Ladies and Gen Z 4 Change at the Waterloo Refugees Community Center, Western Area Rural District.
Madam Jessica of Tombo Jagaban Babes and Pastor Simon Peter of Waterloo addressed hundreds of party coordinators, ward executives, women, and youth members as leaders of DIB Ladies and Gen Z 4 Change. Their declaration adds organized grassroots structure to Dr. Bangura’s campaign ahead of district and constituency conventions.
The meeting, convened by DIB Ladies and Gen Z 4 Change, focused on mobilization strategy, delegate engagement, and alignment around Dr. Bangura’s campaign philosophy of “Love Not Hate, Build Bridges Not Walls” and the slogan “Heal, Unite, Build.”
The Declaration at Refugees Community Center
The Waterloo Refugees Community Center filled early on Sunday with members of DIB Ladies and Gen Z 4 Change in branded attire and T-shirts bearing Dr. Bangura’s image and campaign slogan. Placards with messages of unity and progress were displayed throughout the hall.
Madam Jessica spoke first on behalf of the group. She told the gathering that DIB Ladies and Gen Z 4 Change had reviewed Dr. Bangura’s vision and concluded it aligns with the aspirations of women and youth in Western Area Rural District.
“As DIB Ladies and Gen Z 4 Change, we are ready to stand with him, mobilize women and youth at ward and district levels, and ensure they come out to support his vision. Today, at this Waterloo Refugees Community Center, we declare for DIB,” she stated.
Pastor Simon Peter then addressed the gathering. He said the group had engaged members across Waterloo and surrounding communities and found strong interest in Dr. Bangura’s message of unity and development.
“We are going back to our wards, our communities, and our polling centers. DIB Ladies and Gen Z 4 Change stand with DIB because the vision we believe in is about progress, unity, and building bridges, not walls,” he declared.
Both leaders emphasized that the decision was voluntary and based on assessment of Dr. Bangura’s approach to party rebuilding and national development.
About DIB Ladies and Gen Z 4 Change
DIB Ladies and Gen Z 4 Change is a combined women and youth support group for Dr. Ibrahim Bangura. In Waterloo and Tombo, the group is coordinated by Madam Jessica of Tombo Jagaban Babes and Pastor Simon Peter of Waterloo.
The group focuses on door-to-door engagement, voter education, delegate outreach at ward and district levels, and digital mobilization to reach first-time voters and young delegates. Activities include ward-level meetings, community service projects, and information sharing on the convention process.
Campaign Philosophy: Love Not Hate, Build Bridges Not Walls
Dr. Bangura’s representatives introduced the campaign philosophy of “Love Not Hate, Build Bridges Not Walls” alongside the slogan “Heal, Unite, Build” during the Waterloo meeting.
Organizers said the philosophy is designed to encourage unity within the party and to focus mobilization on constructive engagement rather than division. Members of DIB Ladies and Gen Z 4 Change adopted the slogans during the meeting, chanting “Heal, Unite, Build” at intervals during the proceedings.
For the group, the message aligns with their role as community organizers and their focus on inclusion and opportunity for women and young people in party structures.
Mobilization Strategy Outlined
Following the declarations, Madam Jessica and Pastor Simon Peter outlined immediate next steps for DIB Ladies and Gen Z 4 Change in Western Area Rural District.
They said the group would deploy teams to conduct voter education in every ward, with emphasis on explaining the delegate selection process for district and constituency conventions. The group will organize small meetings at polling centers and use digital platforms to reach young voters and women.
Both leaders said their teams would coordinate with ward coordinators to ensure information reaches communities accurately and on time.
Context: APC Convention Process
The APC’s process for selecting a flagbearer begins with elections at district and constituency levels. These elections produce delegates who are eligible to vote at the National Convention where the flagbearer is chosen.
The focus on Waterloo and Western Area Rural District reflects the area’s significance in delegate numbers and voter participation. Organizers said structured mobilization at this stage is important for ensuring party members understand the process and timeline.
Reactions from Attendees
Attendees at the Refugees Community Center responded with applause and chants during both declarations. Members of DIB Ladies and Gen Z 4 Change described the meeting as an opportunity for women and youth to take active roles in mobilization.
One attendee noted that the meeting helped explain the link between ward-level activity and the National Convention. Another said the focus on “Heal, Unite, Build” provided a clear message for grassroots engagement.
Next Steps
Following Sunday’s meeting at the Waterloo Refugees Community Center, organizers said DIB Ladies and Gen Z 4 Change would intensify activities in the coming weeks. The plan includes additional ward meetings, voter education sessions, and coordination with district-level structures.
Madam Jessica and Pastor Simon Peter pledged to maintain communication with members to ensure consistent messaging as district and constituency conventions draw closer.
The Waterloo declaration marks one of the first major grassroots mobilization events for Dr. Bangura’s campaign in Western Area Rural District, with women and youth structures taking central roles through DIB Ladies and Gen Z 4 change.