SAMURA KAMARA GETS DOWN TO FACING THE APC CHALLENGE
Titus Boye-Thompson, London
The decision of Justice Fisher to grant a log adjournment that goes over the first round of the coming elections slated for 24th June 2023 has now paved the way for the APC flag bearer and party leader to embark on his campaign in full force. As a forerunner to the now substantive refocusing of his political ambition to become the next President of Sierra Leone, Dr Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara will appear before the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone on Monday 1st May 2023 to be nominated in line with the extant regulations. As from his completing the nomination process, Dr Samura Kamara would be officially the next in line to State House, but to say that this has not bee a difficult ride thus far would be an understatement. Dr Samura Kamara has the task now to take on full frontal, the challenges that face him and the APC in the remaining days leading to the general elections in Sierra Leone.
An APC victory or a Samura Kamara win?
It is significant to note that despite the problems that have variously been put in the way of the APC as a political party in opposition, none is more stressing than that of the entanglement of Dr Samura Kamara who was front runner for the APC flag in a legal matter to do with the abortive refurbishment to the Sierra Leone Chancery buildings in New York. . It was not until his confirmation as the presumptive APC candidate for the APC as its Presidential candidate that the precipitous turnaround of his status vis a vis considerations that the flagbearer be accorded a fair chance to launch a robust campaign, necessitated the avoidance of a prolonged and protracted trial that had the potential to distort the democratic outcome. It is for this reason that the decision of Justice Fisher is being seen in some quarters as a win for the Samura Kamara bid for the Presidency as much as it would enhance the chances of an outright APC victory.
Getting ready for the challenge
The All Peoples Congress has had its own share of troubles in the past years in opposition. Within this period, the Party has had to undergo a major shift in its internal organization and systems. What is becoming ever more clear is the distributive effects of these challenges to the extent that a two tier political dispensation was taking root. Up till recently, this creeping distension unravelled a disenchantment of senior members of the Party and some of whom have the potential to act as the bedrock of such a great political party in opposition. This malaise was deliberately fostered upon the Party but long story short, it is good that the Leader and flag bearer is now free to take control of events to exert his authority on the Party. The days of indecision and speculation on his legal position or standing prior to the polls in June now behind him, Dr Samura Kamara is ready for the challenge to unite the Party and bring our independent and hitherto disparate parts together. The challenge is not an easy task but as a man who has worked across Government and associated with many who are now on the margins, he is well placed to marshal his diplomatic skills and negotiating prowess to get all hands on deck.
Bringing back the old hands
Dr Samura Kamara must look to dealing with some urgent and pressing issues that many believe have been reasons for the degree of disengagement that may be responsible for splitting up the APC and will continue to do so if such matters are not handled with dexterity. The issue of “unresolved membership” continue to be a thorn o the rear of the APC leadership. While some would want to put this matter at the hands of the APC Chairman and his deputy, to do so would be folly and if it is manhandled further, then the repercussions would be Samura Kamara’s loss. It is for this reason that Dr Samura Kamara must take that responsibility to put his stamp on the party and take such matters to hand. The re-integration of Alhaji Samuel Samsumana for one is still yet to be completed, enough for him to be regarded as a fully fledged member of the team. In a way, the obstacle that has resulted in such an impasse is the same obstacle that could be traced to the disengagement of other senior members of the party. Since the election of Dr Samura Kamara, the expectation that those matters have been resolved was a false positive. In the weeks following, it has become clear that the pressure and obstruction of the flag bearer to determine his team, specifically to choose his running mate as prescribed by the Party’s constitution was abrogated by external forces to the extent that the rift within the party has been exacerbated to a splinter. In the mix is the disaffection caused by high handed tactics and the openly flawed lower level elections that were followed through to the Delegates Conference and which resulted in aspirants coming away from that contest with a feeling of being disrobed! The challenge now is for Dr Samura Kamara to bring back all those within our party that are aggrieved in any way, shape or form. We cannot afford to lose any more members and for that matter, the APC cannot afford to lose any of its big hitters to the SLPP.
Refocusing hampaign strategy
The SLPP has been openly using state resources to campaign and also using stealth to integrate the First Lady into political involvement when as a matter of protocol, she is not in herself holding political office. Te government has also been using the security forces to contain the APC from any political activity that would openly be construed as a campaign gesture. The distribution of sanitary pads , the women’s day march by civil servants to state house and other such high profile gimmicks have all been facilitated by the open use of state resources or other means to further a political objective. On the other hand, when the APC flag bearer returned from the US, his convoy was deliberately delayed at Mile38 until it was way into the cover of darkness, just so that the people of Freetown are denied of the opportunity to come out and give him a hero’s welcome. The extraordinary banning of rallies has consequently been used as a way of reducing the impetus of the APC campaign methodology and to constrain the flag bearer to engender support for his campaign. His movements had hitherto been restricted and restrained since he was required to attend and deal with a court case which has been better described as a ruse to destroy his ability to launch a full fledged campaign or hustling for his ambition to win the Presidential race.
In the event, Dr Samura Kamara is now engaged in refocusing his campaign strategy. The focus to work on key battleground regions and Districts cannot be forcefully completed unless we bring on board key players and operators to guarantee victory. The APC must regain control of Kambia, consolidate Kono and create pathways into places like Moyamba, Pujehun and Kailahun. In addition, we must work hard to increase our votes in the entire South East Region. The work in our usual strongholds also needs proper attention but this would be easier to attain as we do not envisage much resistance there. The challenge would be on ways of dealing with conflict and violence that are bound to ensue during campaign events. This election will be evidently violent and difficult to manage. The leader must stay on the ball. We all must be on board. So there is no time to waste in internal struggles. We are going to fix this campaign and work with the flag bearer to win this. The APC owe it to the people of this country to win these forthcoming elections in June!
