The leadership of Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), has held a meeting with several flagbearer aspirants as part of efforts to promote dialogue and unity within the party ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.

Those present at the meeting included former Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamed Omodu Kamara, popularly known as Jagaban; former Minister Richard Konteh; lawyer and former minister Ady Macauley; Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr; and former Vice President Alhaji Samuel Sam-Sumana. The engagement, which took place late last week, is believed to be aimed at fostering internal cohesion as the party prepares for its national convention later this year.

Sources familiar with the meeting said the aspirants welcomed the leadership’s initiative and expressed support for unity and mutual cooperation, emphasizing the need for a collective approach to secure victory in the 2028 presidential polls.

However, the absence of two prominent figures, former Minister of Social Welfare Sylvia Blyden and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dr Samura Kamara was widely noted. Observers say the party’s leadership appears to be distancing itself from the pair as internal realignments continue within the APC.

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The development has sparked concern among some supporters of Dr Kamara, with reports indicating that sections of his support base have threatened to withdraw backing for the party unless it prioritizes the issue of electoral justice, a key concern raised following the 2023 elections.

Political analysts warn that unresolved internal divisions could undermine the APC’s chances in 2028, despite what they describe as growing public dissatisfaction with the governance record of the ruling party.

Further complicating the party’s internal dynamics is the presence of the Interim Transition and Governance Committee (ITGC), led by Alfred Peter Conteh. The group continues to challenge the legitimacy of the current APC executive, citing a ruling by Justice Hannah Bonnie of the Sierra Leone judiciary.

As debates over leadership, legitimacy and unity persist, political commentators believe the APC faces significant internal challenges and a lengthy path toward consolidating its position ahead of the next general elections.