Samura Kamara Reveals Pastor Mambu’s Spiritual Role in His Selection as APC Flagbearer
Alex Fefegula Harding Former All People’s Congress (APC) presidential candidate Dr. Samura Kamara has recounted how a meeting involving former President Ernest Bai Koroma and Pastor Mambu influenced his understanding of the events that led to his selection as the party’s flagbearer for the 2018 elections.
Speaking during an interview on AYV about his book, Kamara described the encounter as a significant moment in his transition from a technocrat to mainstream politics, revealing previously undisclosed details about the spiritual considerations surrounding his emergence as the APC presidential candidate.
Kamara said he was at Country Lodge in Freetown after attending church at St. Luke’s and preparing for a trip to Nigeria when Koroma telephoned him and requested that he come to his residence on Freetown Drive.
Upon arriving, Kamara said he found Koroma seated with Pastor Mambu, whom the former president introduced before asking the two to have a private conversation.
According to Kamara, Pastor Mambu explained that he had previously prayed for Koroma during his political struggle for the presidency in 2007. The pastor reportedly recalled inviting presidential aspirants from different political parties to a church programme, but said Koroma was the only person who attended.
Kamara recounted that the pastor said he had attempted to anoint Koroma during that encounter but felt spiritually directed not to do so.
The pastor further claimed that Koroma had approached him approximately six months before their meeting, providing six names for prayer and spiritual guidance in selecting his successor.
Kamara said Pastor Mambu told him that his name repeatedly emerged during those prayers, prompting the pastor to inform Koroma that he believed God had communicated his choice.
The former presidential candidate recalled that Pastor Mambu subsequently prayed for him before they returned to Koroma’s office. He said there was little discussion afterwards and that he eventually asked permission to leave.
Reflecting on the encounter, Kamara said he developed a personal spiritual conviction that Koroma would not change his decision after the pastor communicated what he believed was God’s choice.
He also expressed gratitude to the APC and Koroma, whom he credited with championing his emergence as the party’s presidential candidate.
Kamara described his selection as the highest recognition a political party could give a member, particularly given his previous career as a technocrat rather than a career politician.
His account offers a personal perspective on the circumstances surrounding the APC’s 2018 flagbearer selection, highlighting the reported influence of religious relationships alongside the party’s internal political considerations.