Freetown, Sierra Leone – The All People’s Congress (APC), Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, is ramping up preparations for the 2028 general elections, announcing plans to elect its national executive committee and presidential flagbearer before the end of 2026.
Minkailu P. Koroma, a member of the APC Publicity Secretariat, disclosed the party’s strategy while speaking to journalists. He stressed that completing these internal leadership processes well ahead of the electoral cycle would allow the party to strengthen its structures, resolve outstanding issues, and enter the campaign period fully organized.
Koroma emphasized the need for party unity, calling on members to prioritize the collective interests of the APC over personal ambitions. “We must support whoever emerges as the party’s presidential candidate,” he urged, framing internal cohesion as essential for victory.
The leadership selection process is viewed internally as a critical step toward repositioning the APC. The party has been conducting nationwide consultations and organizational activities to rebuild momentum following its defeat in the disputed 2023 presidential election, where incumbent President Julius Maada Bio of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) secured a second term.
Broader Political Context
Sierra Leone operates under a five-year presidential term limit, meaning President Bio must step down in 2028, turning the next vote into a high-stakes open contest. Both major parties — the ruling SLPP and the opposition APC — are expected to finalize their presidential candidates by the end of 2026, setting the stage for an intense two-year campaign period.
The APC, which historically draws strong support from the north and among Temne and Limba communities, sees the early timeline as an opportunity to heal internal divisions exposed after 2023 and present a unified front. Some analysts suggest the party aims to capitalize on any potential fatigue with the ruling party after 10 years in power.
Koroma has previously warned that any perceived rigging in 2028 could destabilize the country, while also projecting confidence in an APC victory. Potential flagbearer contenders have already begun positioning themselves, with names like former Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr mentioned in political circles.
Electoral Preparations
The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) is also advancing its timeline, with voter registration exercises planned for 2027 ahead of the June 2028 polls. International observers and moral guarantors continue to engage stakeholders to ensure a credible process following controversies in previous cycles.
Political analysts note that the APC’s early move signals a more strategic approach compared to past cycles, potentially giving it an organizational edge as the country heads toward what many describe as a pivotal transition election.
