By Henry Kargbo
Twenty-three (23) ex-cabinet ministers and deputies of the former President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma-led All People’s Congress (APC) administration have Monday 30th January 2023 vowed that their party will win the June 2023 elections.
They made the vows with commitments at an endorsement ceremony of Dr Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara for flag bearer of the APC, hosted at the party’s National Secretariat, on 11A Old Railway Line Brookfields Freetown, ahead of the February 25th National Delegates’ Conference.
Speaking at the declaration of their support for Dr Samura Kamara, former Minister of Information Communications, Hon Mohamed Bangura informed that they have finally decided to throw their support behind Dr. Samura Kamara for the APC flag bearer seat.
He said as former ministers who worked hard under the last APC regime and deem it so necessary to throw their weights behind a candidate they know that will lead the party to State House after the June 24th elections.
“It is a great move for us to endorse Dr Samura Kamara this time around”, he said, adding that in the past most ex-ministers declared for the APC flag bearer position, and the party didn’t win the elections because of disunity. “This time we have realized that and have come together as one to give our support to Dr Samura Kamara’’, he noted, reiterating that they believe that Dr Samura Kamara will be the APC flag bearer and take them back to State House.
Declaring the purpose of their endorsements, former Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Momoud Tarawalie recalled that in 2018 he was also an APC flag bearer aspirant. “I lose because it was not my time and it still is not yet my time,” firmly expressing his profound delight to form part of ex-ministers to endorse Dr. Samura Kamara for the APC flag bearer ahead of the February 25th race. Tarawalie also sounded very optimistic of Dr Samura Kamara’s possible victory in June polls.
“APC comrades let put aside our divisions and endorse Dr. Samura Kamara as our party’s flag bearer. He has gained popularity across the board and beyond borders, and I will campaign for him everywhere I go’’, he pledged.
He added that over twenty ex-ministers that are in the lower-level elections have also decided to support Dr Samura Kamara, adding that their endorsements also stand as a symbol of unity in the party.
For his part, flag bearer aspirant, Dr Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara expressed delight to see ex-minister throwing their support behind him as he aspires for the APC flag bearer. “Let put our odds away and think for the future of our country”, he entreated all, adding; “Let’s think of our country Sierra Leone and the APC party because this party is the only party that think about the cry of citizens’’.
He reassured all that the June polls will bring back the APC to power and it will be the biggest transition ever, adding that the ruling SLPP will not kill the spirit of the APC. Dr Kamara informed that he is innocent of all charges laid on his head by the Anti-Corruption Commission Court in the New York Chancery matter. He therefore encouraged citizens to come out in their Chinese numbers and vote for a new regime.
In a brief declaration statement, another former Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Madina Rahman said that Dr. Samura Kamara is the most competent candidate to run for the June 2023 elections. She said Dr. Samara Kamara is backed by APC grassroots, and he is widely believed to be the most suitable flag bearer aspirant.
Among twenty-three former ministers who threw their weights behind Dr Samura Kamara for the party’s flag bearer contest ahead of the February 25th conference, were erstwhile Minister of Information and Communication, Hon Mohamed Bangura, former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Finda Diana Konomanyi, former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security Dr Sam Sesay, Madina Raman, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Franklyn Bai Kargbo, ex-Minister of Youth Affairs, Bai Mamadu Bangura, one time Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Charles Rogers, Alhaji Sidi Yaya Tunies of Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs then, Momoud Tarawalie, Hassan Bah and host of others declared their support for Dr. Samura Kamara for the approaching flag bearer elections.
