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All People’s Congress (APC) flagbearer aspirant Sorie Sesay has issued a sharp warning against party stakeholders treating newly elected constituency executives as personal property, urging members to preserve party unity ahead of the internal leadership contest.
In a statement released on August 4, Sesay cautioned that portraying executives as belonging to particular camps could create divisions that undermine the party after the flagbearer race concludes. He emphasised that constituency leaders were elected to serve the APC, not individual aspirants or regional leaders.
“Our constituency executives were not elected to become the property of district or regional leaders, stakeholders, or flagbearer aspirants. They were elected as officers of the All Peoples Congress,” Sesay stated, pushing back against claims of allegiance from stakeholders who provided financial support or assistance during recent constituency elections.
The aspirant, a former Ministry of Finance official with over two decades of public service experience, acknowledged that flagbearer contenders have every right to engage executives and compete for their confidence. However, he drew a clear distinction between earning support and claiming ownership.
“Aspirants should engage them, persuade them, and compete for their confidence. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But there is an important difference between earning someone’s support and claiming ownership of them,” Sesay said.
His comments come as newly elected constituency executives prepare to play a pivotal role in the party’s internal political process, with the APC national convention expected to determine the party’s 2028 presidential candidate later this year. Sesay has been actively consulting grassroots supporters across districts including Port Loko and Kono as part of his nationwide campaign.
Sesay argued that interpreting financial backing or personal relationships formed during constituency elections as automatic evidence of loyalty in the flagbearer contest would be misguided. He stressed that constituency executives have broader responsibilities, including grassroots organising, member mobilisation, and strengthening the party’s presence.
“Support received during an election should not automatically be confused with allegiance in the flagbearer contest,” he said.
The APC flagbearer aspirant, who has positioned himself as a unifier promoting inclusivity and practical solutions, warned that internal competition must not weaken the structures the eventual APC leader will depend on to govern effectively. He called on all stakeholders to prioritise the party’s long-term health over factional interests.
“Aspirants will come and go. Internal contests will begin and end. But the party structures must remain capable of working together,” Sesay said.
The revelations regarding Sesay’s position were made public through an official statement as the APC prepares for what is expected to be a competitive flagbearer contest. The party has been working to strengthen internal cohesion following a period of political tension after the disputed 2023 presidential election.
