March 23, 2021
Albert Baron Ansu, James Kamara Manneh
In his bid to replace former President Ernest Bai Koroma for the position of Chairman of the Opposition All Peoples Congress, Hon. Member of Parliament Mohamed Bangura has said that any effort to influence the delegates can lead to unfortunate backlash that will undermine the comeback of the APC come 2023.
Hon. Mohamed pays tribute to the former President as someone who has worked well for the party citing two victories and creating a legacy for national stability and peace to thrive in the country.
A-Z questioned whether he has the blessing of the former president in his aspiration to replace him. Hon. Mohamed Bangura says the former President is aware about his ambition and needs not to influence his or anybody’s election.
He said it has been a long time since the APC resorted to elections as opposed to selection; and the pending delegate elections is an opportunity to save the political image of the party. He warned that political interference can be disastrous for the political chances of the APC come 2023.
Hon. Mohamed Bangura says he could not win he will stand stay with the party, noting that leadership is derived from God.
He is running on three prong objectives of fundraising, unity and victory. Asked how feasible this intention can be accomplished Hon. Mohamed Bangura said he is locally and internationally connected to get people who will help finance all levels of the political aspirants from local councils, members of parliament and even presidential candidate.
A-Z questioned whether the desire to unite the party suggests that there is disunity in the party. He denied such suggestion, however conceding that there are internal bickerings that needs to be mediated.
He refused to divulged his political strategy to win the 2023 elections but insists that he is not a stranger to politics in this country and counts himself among five of the leading politicians in the country.
Hon. Mohamed Bangura came to political limelight when he joined the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change, PMDC as spokesperson and later became chairman of said party that negotiated the merger with the APC in 2007 election led to Ernest Bai Koroma victory, he later transitioned into a leader of a political party when he formed the United Democratic Movement which could not win a seat in parliament. In the ensuing period Hon. Mohamed Bangura joined the APC in the second inning of President Koroma and was appointed as Minister of Information. He is currently APC Member of Parliament 066 in Karene District, Northwestern region.