By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Secretary General of Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), Mr. Lansana Dumbuya, has issued a strong and defiant warning to the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) regarding the 2028 general elections. Speaking in a tone of unyielding resolve, Dumbuya made it clear that any attempt by the government to manipulate the electoral process would be fiercely resisted by both the APC and the citizens of Sierra Leone.
In a bold statement aimed directly at President Julius Maada Bio and his administration, Dumbuya said, “If the government is planning to rig the 2028 elections, they better start building a prison larger than Pademba Road, because we are ready to go to jail instead of accepting a stolen mandate.” His words were met with strong reactions across the political spectrum, signaling rising tensions as the country gradually heads toward another critical electoral cycle.
The APC Secretary General emphasized that his party would not tolerate any form of electoral fraud or manipulation, and called on party members and supporters to begin organizing themselves for the long road ahead. According to Dumbuya, the upcoming national census would be instrumental in shaping a credible electoral register;, and as such, he urged all APC members to actively participate in the process.
“We must not weep over the past elections,” he said. “Let us instead focus on the future, prepare ourselves, and defend our votes.” The statement reflects a broader shift within the APC towards strategic planning and national mobilization in response to perceived injustices in the previous elections.
Dumbuya’s comments come amidst continued public dissatisfaction with the 2023 elections, which the APC and other observers claim were marred by irregularities and a lack of transparency. While the ruling SLPP maintains that the elections were fair and credible, opposition voices have continued to call for electoral reforms and institutional accountability.
The warning also illustrates the APC’s growing emphasis on civic participation and national preparedness, with a particular focus on the importance of the census in establishing a reliable voter database. By encouraging mass participation in the census, Dumbuya hopes to secure a more accurate and transparent electoral process for 2028.
His remarks are widely seen as a rallying call to the party’s grassroots, reinforcing a message of resilience and strategic resistance. Observers say the APC appears increasingly determined to engage every legal and democratic avenue to secure electoral victory and resist what it sees as systemic attempts to undermine democracy in Sierra Leone.
While the message was strongly worded, Dumbuya also reiterated the party’s commitment to upholding democratic norms. He stressed that the APC’s resistance would be peaceful but firm, anchored in the rule of law and grounded in the will of the people.
Political analysts believe the Secretary General’s statement may mark the beginning of a more assertive posture from the APC, as it prepares for the next election cycle. With the 2028 polls still several years away, such early positioning suggests that the political temperature in Sierra Leone is already beginning to rise.
As the political landscape begins to take shape for the coming years, the challenge for both the ruling SLPP and the opposition APC will be to navigate the electoral process in a manner that preserves peace, stability, and democratic legitimacy. For now, Dumbuya’s message serves as a clear signal that the opposition intends to contest the political future with vigour, vigilance, and unwavering determination.
