By Mohamed Kamara
Freetown – The opposition All People’s Congress (APC) has reportedly issued an ultimatum to Hon. Mohamed Bangura, demanding that he either resign from the party immediately or abandon his bid for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Sobeh flagbearer position to maintain his seat in Parliament.
Reliable sources within the APC confirm that Hon. Bangura’s alleged alignment with the PDP has put his political future in jeopardy, as the party insists he must comply with its constitutional regulations. His rumored defection has gained traction following reports that a faction within the PDP has appointed Mr. Harold Turay as the party’s Leader and Chairman in preparation for the 2028 elections. This group has been actively shaping new policies, signaling internal shifts within the PDP.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Ban Kamara, National Secretary General of the PDP since its 2017 convention in Calaba Town, has dismissed any claims of factionalism within the party. He openly condemned Hon. Bangura’s bid for leadership, alleging that it is being orchestrated by unregistered individuals with no legitimate stake in the party. Kamara insisted that the PDP remains united and that any attempts to hijack its leadership will be met with legal resistance.
Criticism has also emerged from the Sierra Leonean diaspora, with legal experts denouncing what they describe as widespread lawlessness in the country’s political landscape. London-based barrister Aruna Bundu Conteh attributed the turmoil within both major and minor political parties to the failure of the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) to enforce discipline. He accused the commission of shielding violators rather than upholding constitutional order.
Conteh expressed skepticism about whether the newly appointed PPRC Chairman, Emmanuel K. Amara, will break the cycle of inaction and restore credibility to the institution. He emphasized that, unlike in Western democracies, Sierra Leone’s civil society organizations have been largely ineffective in addressing internal party disputes, mainly due to financial constraints that hinder their independence and integrity.
As the situation unfolds, political observers will be watching closely to see whether Hon. Mohamed Bangura will choose to remain with the APC or forge ahead with his PDP ambitions—potentially at the cost of his parliamentary seat.
