By Jarrah Kawusu-Konte
Kambia, Sierra Leone –August 29,2025 — Worshippers at the Kambia Central Mosque on Friday witnessed a solemn moment of prayer and counsel as Assistant Imam Sheik Abdallah Sillah presided over a special service attended by Dr. Ibrahim Bangura, the presumptive flagbearer aspirant for the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC).
The Assistant Imam, drawing on the Qur’an, reminded the congregation of the transitory nature of worldly pursuits. He urged Dr. Bangura and his followers to keep their political ambition firmly rooted in the teachings of Islam.
> “This world is only an enjoyment of deception” (Qur’an 3:185), Sheik Sillah recited, cautioning that all deeds should be guided by truth, integrity, and the fear of Allah. He admonished the aspirant to avoid the evil practices condemned by Islam, stressing that real leadership comes with service and accountability before God.
In his address, the Assistant Imam also called on Muslim politicians of Kambia District to rise above division and rally behind a single candidate for the APC flagbearer race. “Allah loves those who unite in His cause,” he reminded, invoking Qur’an 3:103: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.”
A Muslim Son of Mambolo
Dr. Ibrahim Bangura, a practising Muslim and son of Mambolo – the famed rice-farming town in Kambia District – has increasingly become the rallying figure for grassroots and elites alike. His presence at the mosque was both religious and symbolic, given that Sierra Leone has had only one Muslim Head of State in its post-independence history – the late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, who served between 1996 and 2007.
Nearly two decades later, the prospect of a Muslim leader is once again becoming increasingly likely in Dr. Bangura, whose message of reconciliation and renewal resonates deeply in the APC and across the nation.
Northwest: The APC’s Pillar of Strength
The Northwest region, particularly Kambia, has long been the bedrock of APC support. In every electoral cycle since 2007, the APC has drawn formidable strength from the region’s loyalty, resilience, and turnout. Political observers suggest that a son of Kambia leading the APC into the next election would galvanize the base, as well as project unity and inclusivity at the national level.
A Unifier in Trying Times
Dr. Bangura has consistently preached reconciliation within the APC, calling on comrades to set aside differences for the greater good of the party and the country. His campaign has already drawn outstanding personalities and influential voices, a sign of his ability to attract broad-based support and inspire confidence across diverse groups.
With delegates soon to make a decisive choice, calls are growing louder for them to rally behind Dr. Bangura. His candidacy is being cast as the APC’s strongest chance of returning to power and steering Sierra Leone towards renewal.
As the Qur’an reminds in Surah An-Nur 24:55: “Allah has promised those among you who believe and do righteous good deeds, that He will grant them succession in the land…” — many in Kambia now believe that promise may find its moment in the candidacy of Dr. Ibrahim Bangura.
Optimism and Appreciation
Addressing the congregation, Dr Ibrahim Bangura spoke about his agenda for the visit and, in an apparent response to the imam’s call for unity, he expressed optimism that by the time he concludes the stakholder’s consultations in the region, a lot of ground would have been covered in that respect. He thanked the leaders of the Muslim community and some of his team members in Kambia for their hard work in organising his visit.
Bangura’s homecoming follows his recent extraordinary engagements in Bo, southern Siera Leone,and in Lunsar, Port Loko District, where he kick-started his defining stakeholder interactions with delegates and supporters in northwestern region.
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