By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Prominent opposition figure and seasoned politician, Hon. Osman Timbo, has officially declared his intention to run for the Presidential candidacy (flagbearer) position for the All People’s Congress (APC) party, and has called for unity in the APC if the party wants to enter State House come 2028.
Timbo made his much-anticipated declaration at a well-attended event held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown on Wednesday, May 1st. Flanked by party supporters, former government officials, and grassroots mobilizers, the former Deputy Secretary General set a passionate tone, emphasizing unity, truthfulness, and commitment as the keys to reclaiming State House.
“Today, I stand not for myself, but for the hope and future of our party and this nation,” Hon. Timbo declared. “If we, as a party, want to regain the trust of the people and take back State House in 2028, then we must first be united—not in words, but in action.”
In a speech that drew frequent applause, Timbo urged all APC supporters and sympathizers to look beyond internal divisions and personal ambitions, warning that disunity had cost the party dearly in the past and such must not be allowed to define its future.
“There can be no unity if we are not honest and sincere with ourselves,” he said. “This is the time to reflect, regroup, and recommit. We must rise above petty differences and rally behind a common purpose.”
Timbo’s candidacy adds to the growing list of contenders vying for the APC top position, as the party looks to reposition itself following back-to-back defeats in the 2018 and 2023 general elections. His declaration marks a significant moment in the party’s rebuilding efforts, especially as internal calls for reform and generational change grow louder.
Supporters at the declaration described Timbo as a bridge between the party’s experienced old guard and its emerging youthful base.
“Hon. Timbo is the kind of leader we need,” said Alhaji Kamara, a delegate from Port Loko. “He understands the struggles of ordinary Sierra Leoneans; and he has the vision to take us forward.”
Analysts say Timbo’s message of unity may resonate strongly at a time when the APC is navigating complex internal dynamics, including reconciliation efforts and calls for more inclusive leadership.
As the 2028 elections slowly take shape, Hon. Osman Timbo’s entrance into the flagbearer race is expected to reshape discussions within the APC and beyond. His appeal for honesty, sincerity, and togetherness is a call not just for political reorganization but for a deeper reawakening within one of Sierra Leone’s oldest political movements.
Whether Timbo’s message will translate into broad-based support remains to be seen; but for now, his declaration has injected new energy into APC’s political machinery—and has brought the battle for the party’s future into sharper focus.
