IGR Survey Puts Jagaban and Fatima Bio Ahead in APC, SLPP 2028 Flagbearer Races
Tolulope Aina A new survey by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) has identified Mohamed Omodu Kamara, popularly known as Jagaban, and First Lady Fatima Bio as leading contenders in the All People’s Congress (APC) and Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) races to select presidential flagbearers for the 2028 general elections.
The findings are contained in the October 2026 edition of Sierra Leone’s Political Marathon, Volume II, titled Battle for 2028: Inside the APC and SLPP Flagbearer Showdown.
According to figures presented in the report, 70.9 per cent of surveyed APC delegates indicated support for a group of three leading aspirants, including Jagaban, while 62.4 per cent of SLPP delegates expressed a preference for a group of three aspirants that includes Fatima Bio.
The figures reflect the combined preferences for the respective groups of aspirants and should not be interpreted as the individual support levels for Jagaban or Fatima Bio alone.
When the preferences of ordinary party supporters are combined with those of delegates, Jagaban records 65.8 per cent support among the APC figures presented in the report, while Fatima Bio leads the SLPP field with 48 per cent.
The survey examines the preferences of party supporters and delegates ahead of the internal contests that will determine the two parties’ presidential candidates for the 2028 elections.
IGR said the research involved 2,400 likely voters and 1,025 randomly selected APC and SLPP delegates aged 18 and above. The report seeks to assess the competing interests, alliances and voting preferences that could influence the selection of the parties’ flagbearers.
The findings come as political activities intensify within both parties ahead of the next presidential election. In the SLPP, Fatima Bio has increasingly featured in discussions about potential flagbearer contenders. In September, she reportedly told a gathering of party members in North America that her political engagements involved delegates rather than ordinary supporters.
The latest findings build on IGR’s earlier research into internal party democracy. Its December 2025 edition of Sierra Leone’s Political Marathon identified Jagaban as the only one among 26 rumoured aspirants from the APC and SLPP to secure more than 50 per cent endorsement from party members. That study also highlighted concerns about grassroots participation in party decision-making.
Under the APC’s gazetted internal election rules, the party’s presidential candidate is elected by delegates at its National Delegates Conference. The rules require an aspirant to secure 50 per cent plus one vote to be elected flagbearer.
The latest survey findings, however, do not determine the outcome of either party’s nomination process. Actual results will depend on the eligible delegates, the candidates who contest and the voting process adopted by each party.
IGR’s latest report offers an indication of current preferences among the groups surveyed, but those preferences could change as the 2028 election approaches and the parties’ internal contests develop.