By Olatunde Wright, (A concerned citizen)
As Sierra Leone moves towards the next Presidential and general elections, the All People’s Congress (APC) faces a crucial test—not just of how it plans to win elections, but of whether it can be seen as a serious and trustworthy opposition.
If the APC wants the public to view it as a government-in-waiting, it must speak with one clear, united, and disciplined voice. Without that unity, the party risks losing public trust and weakening its ability to hold the current government accountable.
In recent months, as the party edges closer to its national delegates’ conference, a troubling pattern has emerged. Flagbearer aspirants have increasingly taken to social media to issue personal statements on matters of national importance.
While political engagement is vital—and digital platforms offer a powerful tool for outreach—these pronouncements often diverge from, or fail to reinforce, the party’s official stance.
The result is a cacophony of conflicting messages that confuses the public, disorients party loyalists, and dilutes the party’s strategic messaging.
This fragmentation is not merely a communications issue; it is a crisis of coherence. When the opposition speaks in multiple, discordant tones, it resembles the noise of a crowded marketplace—loud, chaotic, and ultimately dismissed.
Voters will not entrust national leadership to a party that cannot demonstrate internal discipline and unity of purpose.
To restore credibility and project readiness to govern, the APC must enforce a culture of message discipline. Aspirants and senior figures alike should channel their views through the party’s established communication structures.
Additionally, the Party needs to respond swiftly to emerging issues, empowering its flagbearer aspirants to take the lead in strengthening its position.
Once the party has articulated its position on any given issue, individual statements—particularly from those vying for leadership—must echo and amplify that collective voice.
This is not a call for silence or conformity. It is a call for strategic alignment. A party that aspires to lead must first learn to listen to itself. Unity of voice is not a cosmetic exercise—it is the foundation of political legitimacy, public trust, and electoral viability.
The APC has a historic opportunity to present itself as a serious alternative to the current administration. But to do so, it must first prove that it can govern itself.
This calls for a strong and urgent appeal for unity, and a renewed commitment to restoring public trust through inclusive dialogue, transparency, and meaningful engagement with the people.
