By Ibrahim Alieu Kanu
The 2028 polls are not the regular elections in Sierra Leone. They represent a defining moment that will determine our national trajectory on sustainable development, peace, and regional relevance.
The APC’s presidential candidate must be of the Dr. Ibrahim Bangura mould. He embodies everything the APC and Sierra Leone need to forge a brighter future.
The APC and Sierra Leone need a forward-thinking leader who will not waste time dwelling on the past, but will focus on shaping the future. We need a leader of unblemished character, because voters remember past actions far more than campaign speeches.
Temperament and emotional stability are non-negotiable. The next President must be of marketable quality, calm under pressure, insults, and crisis. The APC needs a leader who prioritizes patriotism over partisanship, and who can place nation above tribe, region, or party when it matters most.
Dr. Ibrahim Bangura possesses all the qualities that fit the APC presidential ticket for 2028. He has national appeal and can attract votes across the political divide, because even members of other parties, including the SLPP, will feel safe under his leadership. He is not vindictive, and his government will not waste time chasing opponents at the expense of delivering on campaign promises.
His current campaign style already mirrors how he would govern. Dr. Ibrahim Bangura is running the most structured campaign in the APC, with a message that speaks directly to the suffering of the people.
Sierra Leone needs a leader who can resonate with the youthful population, and Dr. Ibrahim Bangura is that leader. Born in the 1980s, he speaks the language, understands the frustrations, and carries the aspirations of our generation.
A Presidency under Dr. Ibrahim Bangura will mean a drastic reduction in the number of Sierra Leonean youth dying at sea in search of greener pastures. His leadership will directly address the demands of young people: jobs, dignity, and opportunity at home.
Dr. Bangura will harness Sierra Leone’s mineral endowment and convert it into real wealth, wealth that creates jobs, funds industries, and gives our youth no reason to risk their lives on dangerous journeys to Europe. Our sisters will no longer be exploited like modern-day slaves in the Middle East.
The proof is already visible in his campaign. Former students from different ethnic, regional, and political backgrounds have independently mobilized to support him, outside his main campaign structure. That is not just popularity. That is the legacy of a lecturer who inspired, mentored, and believed in his students.
People from all walks of life admire his leadership not because of his appearance, but because they see themselves reflected in the message he carries.
They see a vision of a better, more prosperous Sierra Leone under his leadership.