Reliable sources within the All People’s Congress (APC) indicate that National Chairman Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray is preparing to step down from his position ahead of the party’s 2026 National Delegates Conference.
This move is reportedly part of a broader strategy to strengthen his candidacy in the upcoming leadership contest. Insiders suggest that Mansaray’s resignation is a calculated step to enhance his chances of becoming the APC’s flagbearer for the 2026 leadership race.
The APC’s National Advisory Committee (NAC) has been strategically positioning Mansaray as a leading contender for the flagbearer role, with the ultimate aim of securing his nomination as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2028 general election.
A source close to the APC’s leadership commented,
“There is no doubt that the current de facto NAC is orchestrating maneuvers to
ensure Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray wins the flagbearer position, paving the way
for him to become our presidential candidate in 2028.”
One of the most controversial moves attributed to the NAC involves the recent readmission of former Vice President Sam Sumana to the APC. Rather than reinstating him, the NAC chose to readmit Sumana, a decision seen by many as a tactic to disqualify him from competing in the flagbearer race.
Additionally, the NAC has initiated a registration and
verification exercise, which some observers believe is intended to exclude
members registered by the Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC).
This action has fueled speculation that the NAC is consolidating support for
Mansaray by purging potential challengers.
The NAC’s actions have not gone unnoticed, with
influential APC stakeholder Alhaji Ibrahim Kemoh Sesay openly criticizing the
committee for allegedly undermining other prominent party members. Sesay
pointedly accused the NAC of sidelining Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara, the
APC’s two-time presidential candidate, as part of a broader scheme to secure
Mansaray’s ascent within the party.
Sesay’s remarks reflect a growing concern among
certain APC factions that the NAC is prioritizing Mansaray’s interests at the
expense of the party’s broader unity. This perceived favoritism has sparked
internal tensions, particularly among those who believe that Kamara and other
potential candidates are being marginalized in the lead-up to the 2026
conference.
As one of Sierra Leone’s major political parties, the APC is heading into a critical period of internal competition and strategic positioning. The 2026 National Delegates Conference is expected to be a decisive event, setting the stage for the party’s leadership as it prepares for the 2028 presidential elections.
With the NAC’s actions under increasing scrutiny, both party members and political observers are closely monitoring developments. The potential resignation of Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray as National Chairman could significantly alter the APC’s internal dynamics.
If Mansaray indeed steps down to focus on his bid for the flagbearer position, it would signal a major shift in the party’s leadership landscape. This move could also have broader implications for the APC’s strategy in the 2028 elections, particularly in terms of how the party positions itself against its rivals.
As the APC navigates these complex and potentially turbulent times, the decisions made in the coming months will likely shape the party’s future and influence the broader political environment in Sierra Leone.
Mansaray’s anticipated resignation and the subsequent
leadership contest will be pivotal in determining the direction of the APC as
it approaches the next electoral cycle.