The opposition All People’s Congress (APC) presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara, has addressed his prolonged period of relative quiet, stating that he placed the interests of the country above personal or partisan considerations.
According to report, Dr. Samura Kamara recently remarked that he is not in a 2028 agenda while 2023 remains unresolved, noting that the will of the people must prevail.
He expressed having been silent for some time, emphasising his focus on national priorities and divine guidance.
Dr. Samura, a veteran economist and politician who also ran in 2018, faced incumbent President Julius Maada Bio of the governing Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in the June 24, 2023 presidential election. Official results declared Brig. (Rtd) Maada Bio, the winner with approximately 56.17% of the votes to Dr. Kamara’s 41.16%.
The APC rejected the outcome, alleging irregularities, lack of transparency in the tallying process, and restrictions on party agents. The party opted against the formal court challenge, instead pursuing political and diplomatic avenues, imcluding tripartite engagements involving international moral guarantors.
Tensions over the presidential election results have lingered, with ongoing calls from some APC supporters for full electoral justice and the publication of detailed results.
In statements from the 2023 and more recent comments, Dr. Kamara has stressed that addressing the “electoral flaws of 2023” as a prerequisite for credible future elections. He has explicitly distanced himself from immediate 2028 presidential ambitions, noting that he has not yet decided on contesting the APC flagbearer position ahead of any potential 2026 convention.
His emphasis remains on national development, reconciliation, and restoring confidence in democratic processes.
The APC has undergone internal shifts since 2023, including changes in leadership roles, with Dr. Kamara is no longer serving in certain formal capacities with ongoing dialogue.
He continues to be viewed by many party members as a key figure, though the party is preparing for broader leadership contests ahead of the 2028 polls.
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