The recent call for Electoral Justice by Dr Samura Kamara, former Flagbearer of the All People’s Congress Party (APC), raises significant questions about the future of the party and its electoral strategy.
Dr Samura Kamara’s actions and call for Electoral Justice days after his public acceptance of the Bio Presidency at State House are now becoming clear tactics and strategies to hold the APC Party hostage.
As the controversial June 24th, 2023 elections continue to linger in our minds, all of us believe that the said elections were marred by irregularities, but were concluded by the signing of the National Unity Agreement and the Tripartite recommendations.
Dr Samura Kamara’s tactics moving forward seem aimed not just at securing electoral justice, but also at steering the APC into a precarious position leading up to the 2028 elections.
On the day the Tripartite recommendations were formally signed and handed over to President Maada Bio, Dr Samura Kamara’s choice and decision to address Bio as “His Excellency” stirred a mix of scepticism and intrigue.
Critics argue that such an endorsement contradicts his proclaimed commitment to safeguarding, protecting, and fighting for the people’s votes.
If Dr. Kamara genuinely seeks electoral justice, why did he not use that high-profile occasion to publicly reject Bio’s Presidency and outline a more aggressive stance against perceived electoral injustices?
Instead, by participating in the signing of the Tripartite recommendations—a document that did not speak to the fact of a re-run or a recount, but aimed at reforms and improving the electoral process—Samura Kamara inadvertently legitimized Bio’s Presidency in the eyes of the public, the grassroots and the international community.
This move raises an important question: is Samura Kamara’s call for electoral justice merely a strategic distraction designed to keep the APC embroiled in discussions of the past grievances, allowing him to consolidate power and influence over the party?
Dr. Kamara’s approach appears to be a double-edged sword. While advocating for electoral justice could mobilize public support and highlight the need for reform, his simultaneous endorsement of Bio has alienated key APC supporters, who are disillusioned with the current government.
By keeping the party focused on the fallout from the 2023 elections, Samura Kamara risks stalling APC’s ability to unify and prepare for the next electoral battle.
The concern among APC members is palpable, will this tactic hold the party hostage to a narrative of perpetual electoral grievances, allowing the ruling party to galvanise and regain momentum?
The APC, under Dr Kamara’s influence, has found itself in a cycle of reaction rather than proactive engagements, ultimately putting on the firing line the promising chances of the APC winning the next elections.
Samura Kamara’s actions and rhetoric are jeopardizing the chances of the All People’s Congress Party in the 2028 elections, if care is not taken swiftly.
For the APC to emerge as a formidable contender in the 2028 elections, it must address both internal divisions and the broader public sentiment. Dr Kamara has an opportunity to redefine his role—transforming from a figure mired in past grievances to an adviser who can inspire forward-thinking policies and unity within the party.
If he genuinely seeks to advocate for electoral justice, he should prioritize transparent strategies that empower the electorate rather than perpetuate narratives of disillusionment, disunity and rancour within the Party.
While Dr Samura Kamara’s electoral justice tactics may serve immediate political interests, they risk sidelining the APC’s long-term viability.
As the 2028 elections approach, the challenge will be to translate calls for justice into actionable strategies that resonate with the electorate and rejuvenate the party.
With that, the APC can hope to break free from the shadows of past election grievances and reclaim its position in Sierra Leonean politics.
Long Live The All People’s Congress Party!
Long Live It’s Leadership!!
©️ Alimamy Kabia (Tiger)