Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray, the National Chairman of the All People’s Congress (APC), is facing intense scrutiny following widespread rumours about his possible resignation and alleged presidential ambitions for the 2028 elections. Although the party has officially dismissed these rumours, questions remain regarding Mansaray’s intentions and the integrity of the party’s leadership process.

The APC, in a statement, described Mansaray as a seasoned political leader with deep roots in the party, while avoiding direct confirmation or denial of his purported presidential ambitions. This has done little to quell suspicions within the party, with some stalwarts alleging a covert agreement among senior party figures, including former President Ernest Bai Koroma, to position Mansaray as the next flagbearer.

These suspicions have been fueled by concerns that the APC’s National Advisory Committee (NAC) is orchestrating a plan to sideline other potential candidates in favor of Mansaray. An anonymous party member warned that such actions could lead to internal strife and hinted at possible legal challenges if the party leadership attempts to impose a candidate without a fair contest.

In a related development, grassroots members in Kono District have voiced their dissatisfaction with the exclusion of key figures such as Chief Sam Sumana and Lady Diana Konomani from the current APC leadership. They argue that their inclusion is vital for fostering unity within the party. The grassroots members have threatened to boycott the party’s registration and verification processes if their concerns are not addressed, emphasizing that unity within the party is non-negotiable.

The APC leadership is yet to respond to these new concerns from supporters and other party hierarchy, but the growing unrest within the party highlights the challenges it faces as it navigates its internal politics ahead of the 2028 elections.