By: Nelson Adebayo Johnson
As the All People’s Congress (APC) prepares for its National Delegates Conference to elect a flagbearer for the 2028 general elections, the contest has intensified with focus shifting from alliances and numbers to capacity, character and national electability. Among the leading aspirants is Dr. Ibrahim Bangura, whose campaign anchored on the slogan “Heal, Unite, Build” is gaining momentum at home and in the diaspora, and drawing admiration even from across the political aisle.
PROFILE AND APC ROOTS
Dr. Bangura describes himself as a “proud son of Sierra Leone” and a lifelong APC loyalist. He grew up in Freetown in a family active in party affairs and as a student at Fourah Bay College helped organize APC supporters on campus and later helped set up the APC Students Union after the 1992 military coup banned political parties.
He contributed financially and intellectually to the preparation of campaign strategies and manifestos for the 2018 and 2023 elections, and helped draft the 2022 APC Constitution. In 2018 he stepped down from contesting for National Secretary General on advice of party elders in the spirit of unity. When the National Reformation Movement (NRM) took the party to court, the party leadership turned to him to mediate, facilitating dialogue that led to withdrawal of members from court proceedings.
WHERE HE HAS WORKED: ACADEMIA AND GLOBAL SERVICE
Academically, Dr. Bangura is an Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. He holds a BA in History and Political Science from Fourah Bay College, an MSc in Gender Studies from the University of Sierra Leone, an MSc from the University of Amsterdam, and a PhD from the Leipzig School of Management in Germany. In 2024 and 2025 he was selected as an Africa Oxford Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford.
Professionally, he is Senior Partner at Transition International in the Netherlands, a consultancy firm he co-founded in 2006 to support reintegration of ex-combatants and countries transitioning from conflict to sustainable peace. He has worked as a Results-Oriented Monitoring (ROM) expert overseeing EU-funded projects across Africa, and as lead consultant for ECOWAS, the African Union, UNOWAS, UNDP, UNICEF, and the United Nations. His field experience spans over 30 African countries including South Sudan, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Central African Republic. His expertise covers governance reform, transitional justice, security sector reform, human rights, gender and youth development.
MOMENTUM GAINED – BEYOND PARTY LINES
Dr. Bangura’s campaign has built structured national and international networks. The launch of the DIB Iron Ladies UK & Ireland chapter adds to a growing diaspora support base focused on service, solidarity and national renewal.
At his recent London, Port Loko and Kono engagement, he reiterated his doctrine: “We must heal first, then we unite, then we build this country. Everybody must be involved, the youths, the women, the vulnerable, the old ones. Nobody should be left out.”
A recent internal poll cited by his campaign reportedly placed him ahead with 64 per cent support among party members surveyed, presented as evidence of growing momentum.
Crucially, in recent months, hundreds of supporters and ordinary members of the main ruling SLPP have openly expressed admiration for Dr. Bangura’s messaging of peace and unity. In community meetings, radio call-in programmes and social media engagements, many SLPP youths and women have stated that his tone is different — calm, non-retaliatory, and focused on country rather than party. Some have attended his town hall meetings in Freetown, Bo, Kenema and Makeni, saying they see in him a leader who can talk to both sides without insult or incitement.
Political observers say this cross-party admiration is rare in Sierra Leone’s highly polarized environment, where politics is often defined by red and green. The fact that ruling party members are listening to an opposition aspirant because of his peace message, they argue, proves his unifying appeal.
WHY THE FITTEST CANDIDATE FOR APC 2028? THE UNITY FACTOR
Sierra Leone’s current political climate is marked by deep disunity between the ruling SLPP and the opposition APC. Analysts argue that bridging this divide is critical for peace, stability and development.
Dr. Bangura’s case rests on three pillars:
- HEAL: As a scholar of conflict transformation, he advocates healing national wounds first. His vision is summarized as “experience without entitlement, confidence without arrogance, calmness without weakness, renewal without disrespect for our history, and ambition without division.”
- UNITE: His campaign focuses on institutional reform, economic discipline and national cohesion. He has repeatedly called for a peaceful, transparent internal process and urged fellow aspirants to avoid divisive statements.
- BUILD: He has stated: “I am not here to live a lavish lifestyle, but to build our democratic institutions and channel our resources in the right direction to lift Sierra Leone off the bottom of the Human Development Index.”
In a nation where tribal and regional sentiments dominate, Dr. Bangura, who traces paternal roots to Temne in Mambolo, Kambia District, and maternal roots to Fula and Baga-Soso lineage, preaches oneness. Supporters say he sees no tribe or region.
CONCLUSION
If Sierra Leone should develop and foster peace and unity, proponents argue, the APC needs a candidate who can unite the party and attract voters beyond its base — including those who ordinarily would not vote APC. With academic depth, global governance experience, clean record, and a message that is now resonating even within the SLPP grassroots, Dr. Ibrahim Bangura is presented as that bridge-builder. The admiration from ruling party members is not presented as defection, but as validation that his message of Heal, Unite, Build speaks to Sierra Leoneans first, and party supporters second.