Freetown — In a passionate letter to the Secretary General of the All People’s Congress (APC), Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, veteran journalist and former Minister of Information, expressed deep concerns about the future of Sierra Leone’s main opposition party.
Addressed to Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya, Kargbo’s letter highlights growing internal conflicts that he claims are threatening the very existence of the APC.
“As a member of the APC party, it saddens me to note that unnecessary divisions within our party stand at variance with the aims and objectives for which our founding fathers formed the APC,” Kargbo wrote.
He further lamented the formation of what he described as “Team A and Team B,” factions that he believes are dividing the party. “This is not the APC we knew,” he added, emphasizing that these divisions have reached a crisis point following the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.
The letter touches on the growing friction surrounding the 2023 APC presidential candidate, Dr. Samura Kamara.
According to Kargbo, there is a conflict between the APC executive, which appears ready to move toward the 2028 elections, and Kamara’s supporters, who are steadfastly maintaining his position as flagbearer.
“The party has suddenly disintegrated into a Samura Kamara camp and an APC executive camp,” he observed.
Kargbo’s criticism extended to the lack of disciplinary mechanisms within the party, citing the rise of “a new culture of indiscipline” amplified by social media.
He expressed dismay at how online conflicts have damaged the party’s image, remarking, “The divisions within our party are further intensified by the emergence of a new culture of indiscipline.”
Kargbo also called for an emergency National Delegates’ Conference, suggesting it as a means to resolve the conflicts dividing the APC. “Firstly, the matter of the destructive Team A and Team B should be discussed at such a party convention or an expanded NAC session,” he stated, emphasizing the need to address Kamara’s status as a critical issue.
In his closing, Kargbo warned that the APC’s present state could have dire implications for its future electoral success.
“If the party loses one more Presidential election, especially in 2028, it would be as good as saying goodbye to our glorious party,” he cautioned. “And this is why I request very humbly an urgent hanging of heads by party leaders to bring our party back to a state of normalcy.”
See full details of the letter below:
Letter to the Secretary General of the APC
Dear Secretary General:
I write this letter to raise certain concerns that seriously threaten the very existence of our glorious party, especially as internal feuds within the party are unfortunately becoming commonplace.
Mr. Secretary General, as a member of the APC party, it saddens me to note that unnecessary divisions within our party stand at variance with the aims and objective for which our founding fathers formed the APC. The disastrous division of the party into Team A and Team B clearly speaks volumes, also clearly dividing our party. This is not the APC we knew.
The divisions within our party are further intensified by the emergence of a new culture of indiscipline as we have allowed social media to dismember the reputation of our party.
The outcome of the 2023 election has suddenly become a curse to our party; and the party has suddenly disintegrated into a Samura Kamara camp and an APC executive camp.
Mr. Secretary General, it would appear that the party in its present state lacks the capacity to introduce disciplinary mechanisms within the party and at the same time unite the various groups as the party continues to disintegrate.
The Samura Kamara Presidential candidature has become serious and topical as the executive of our party seems to suggest that the tenure of Dr. Samura Kamara as APC flagbearer for the 2023 Presidential election has ended. Dr. Samura Kamara, on the other hand, refuses to yield to the national executive’s position of moving towards the 2028 elections.
What a confusion for a party that is more than 60 years old!
This confusion within our party, which clearly creates the impression that there is no decisive decision on important party matters such as electoral flagbearer issues, is appalling.
This is clearly a disaster for our party as it is very obvious that we have created two halves within our party, with two leaderships.
The only way out, and I dare state as a matter of urgency, that the party should convene an emergency National Delegates’ Conference or an all-inclusive expanded NAC meeting to resolve those outstanding issues that are threatening the survival of our party.
Firstly, the matter of the destructive Team A and Team B should be discussed at such a party convention or an expanded NAC session.
Secondly, the status of Dr. Samura Kamara as it relates to the 2023 flagbearership of the party must also be openly and thoroughly discussed as the arguments and counter-arguments about the status of Samura Kamara are inhibiting the progress of the party.
Thirdly, the membership of the party should take a closer look at the party constitution in an effort to make amendments that are necessary to promote democracy and inclusiveness within the party.
Mr. Secretary General, the APC was formed on the basis of social justice and inclusiveness; but I must state that the most unnecessary divisions and collapse of discipline within the party, threaten the future of our glorious party.
The present leadership of the APC, especially the chairman and the Deputy Chairman who are some of the most experienced members of the APC at the moment are looked upon by the majority of the followership of the party to take the APC back to State House. And therefore, the public expects them to utilize their experience to bring back peace and unity within our party.
Mr. Secretary General, as I conclude, may I state that the APC in its present state of disarray can hardly take part in an extremely competitive election and clinch the Presidency.
If the party loses one more Presidential election, especially in 2028, it would be as good as saying goodbye to our glorious party.
And this why I request very humbly an urgent hanging of heads by party leaders to bring our party back to a state of normalcy.
Comrade Ibrahim Ben Kargbo
