The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC) are the two major political parties that have shaped the nation’s political, social, and economic trajectories for decades, often alternating control in response to public sentiments, dissatisfaction, and shifting allegiances.

As the 2028 election draws nearer, both the SLPP and APC face significant challenges in restoring public trust, yet the reality is that neither appears poised to secure a decisive victory without engaging in political manipulation, rhetoric, and, in some cases, deceit and trickery.

To understand why both parties may resort to manipulation, it’s essential to look at their historical influence. Since independence in 1961, the SLPP and APC have held power at various points, each leaving its distinct, often criticized mark.

While the SLPP, historically regarded as a party for the educated elite, prides itself on its role in shaping the nation post-independence, it has also faced criticism for elitism and inefficiencies, Conversely, the APC, seen as a party for the common person, particularly under leaders like Siaka Stevens and Ernest Bai Koroma, has made strides in populist outreach but has been accused of rampant corruption and cronyism.

The enduring legacies of both parties create polarized voter bases, with many Sierra Leoneans identifying with one party not out of loyalty to its current platform but because of historical and familial ties. As a result, both parties often lean into strategies that capitalize on tribal and regional divides, emphasizing narratives that solidify these loyalties. However, with a new generation of voters demanding accountability and transparency, SLPP and APC leaders realize that traditional tactics alone may not guarantee success in 2028. Hence, a more calculated approach, rooted in political trickery and controlled deception, appears inevitable.

The SLPP, under President Julius Maada Bio, has branded itself as a party committed to reform, progress, and free quality education. Yet, many citizens are frustrated with economic stagnation, high Unemployment rates, and an education system that, while free, struggles with quality issues.

In recent years, the SLPP has experienced internal conflict, with factions divided between traditionalists and reformists, weakening its once-cohesive message.

As 2028 approaches, the SLPP will likely employ a series of tactics to mask internal divisions and create an image of unified progress. They may amplify promises of continued reform, pushing large- scale projects like the “Feed Salone” initiative and pledging infrastructural developments.

While these promises may sound impressive, critics argue that the party’s track record suggests that many of these promises could be hollow, used more to attract voters than to bring tangible change.

This could mirror tactics seen in the 2018 elections, where President Bio’s promises around free quality education were widely publicized but remain a mixed success in reality.

Furthermore, the SLPP may leverage patronage by strategically offering benefits to key regional leaders, community influencers, and tribal chiefs, subtly ensuring their support while sidelining opposition voices.

This tactic is effective in Sierra Leone’s communal culture, where endorsements from local figures can greatly influence voter choices. While this approach does not always translate to genuine progress, it demonstrates how SLIP leaders may employ indirect deceit to win over hesitant or skeptical communities.

For the APC, which governed Sierra Leone under President Ernest Bai Koroma until 2018, the 2028 elections represent an opportunity to reestablish itself as the champion of the common Sierra Leonean. However, with internal strife and questions around party

APC may also manipulate public memory by emphasizing grievances under the SLPP’s rule, often attributing economic hardships solely to the current administration while downplaying its own past failings leadership still unresolved, the APC faces challenges in presenting a cohesive, forward-thinking vision. To overcome this, the APC may resort to a populist strategy, portraying itself as the party that “understands” the hardships of ordinary citizens, with promises of returning the nation to a pre-SLPP era of stability.

The APC may also manipulate public memory by emphasizing grievances under the SLPP’s rule, often attributing economic hardships solely to the current administration while downplaying its own past failings. This tactic of selective memory allows the APC to craft a narrative of national decline under the SLPP, asserting that only a return to APC leadership can “restore” Sierra Leone. This nostalgic portrayal appeals to citizens frustrated by stagnation, even if it skirts accountability for issues that arose during the APC’s previous governance.

To cement their appeal, the APC may also exploit the divisions within the SLPP by engaging in divisive identity politics, emphasizing regional allegiances and ethnic loyalty. This tactic risks deepening national divides but serves the party’s interests by rallying specific ethnic groups or regions around its cause. Such divisive tactics, while manipulative, have a proven effectiveness in Sierra Leone, where identity often supersedes policy in voting behavior.

Both the SLPP and APC are aware that controlling the media narrative is crucial in swaying public perception. As digital media grows in influence, political parties increasingly employ controlled media sources and social media campaigns to spread their messages, SLPP-affiliated media máy emphasize President Bio’s reforms and paint a vision of continued progress, while downplaying or even ignoring criticisms. Meanwhile, APC- friendly platforms may exaggerate SLPP shortcomings, framing the party as incapable of steering the country forward.

Moreover, misinformation campaigns have become more sophisticated. Both parties may fund or encourage online disinformation, using fake news stories, doctored images, and manipulated videos to sway public opinion. This strategy not only shifts focus away from genuine policy debates but also amplifies social tension, creating a polarized environment where citizens struggle to discern fact from political spin.

If both parties lean into trickery and deceit as predicted, the consequences for Sierra Leone could be profound. A campaign season marked by false promises and misinformation will likely deepen existing distrust between citizens and their leaders, as promises once again fail to materialize. Additionally, the heightened use of identity politics could deepen social divides, weakening national unity and fostering resentment among marginalized communities.

The impact on governance will be significant if a party elected on hollow promises assumes power. Rather than focusing on sustainable development, leaders may find themselves pressured to fulfill ambitious but unfeasible promises, ultimately disappointing citizens. Furthermore, Sierra Leone’s international reputation could suffer as observers see the persistence of deceitful practices within its political framework, deterring investment and diminishing tryst in governance structures.

As the 2028 elections approach, SLPP and APC leaders face a critic choice: continue relying on the tactics of manipulation that have become political norms, or pivot toward genuine engagement w Sierra Leonean voters. Embracing transparency, addressing concerns and breaking from identity-based divisiveness could inspire a new era in Sierra Leone’s democracy. Voters, too, bear responsibility, as demanding accountability and rejecting empty promises will be essential to reshaping the political landscape.

The future of Sierra Leone depends on the choices made in the coming years, both by politicians and by citizens. For the SLPP and APC, the road to victory may be easier through deceit, but the true path to lasting national progress lies in embracing integrity, inclusivity, and real change. Only then can either party hope to not only win the election but earn the lasting respect and trust of the people they seek to govern.