Standard bearer of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara, is currently in serious dilemma over who he should choose as his running-mate for the 24th June, presidential poll.

According to competent sources within the party, four stalwarts are being earmarked to become the presidential candidate’s running-mate; they are former Vice President Samuel Sam Samura, Hon. Chernoh Ramadan Maju Bah, Mayor Yvonne Denise Aki Sawyerr and Sheik Alhaji Mohamed Kamara aka Money Jagaban.

Dr. Samura M.W. Kamara, who clinched the APC ticket on Sunday 19th February, 2023 at the APC Northern Region Headquarters in Makeni to contest for the forthcoming presidential poll, has assured the National Advisory Committee (NAC), the second highest decision-making body of the party, that he would announce his running-mate before Friday 10th March 2023, given that he needs more time to think before taking such all-important decision.

Many stalwarts had speculated that Dr. Samura Kamara would announce his running-mate immediately after his resounding victory in Makeni.

According to competent sources within the APC, erstwhile President Ernest Bai Koroma, who many Sierra Leoneans believe is Dr. Samura Kamara’s political godfather, wanted the presidential candidate to choose the Opposition Leader in Parliament, Hon. Chernoh Ramadan Maju Bah as his running-mate, but the standard bearer refused to succumb. Instead, he wants to choose either Mayor Yvonne Denise Aki Sawyerr or erstwhile Vice President Samuel Sam Sumara.

Sheik Alhaji Mohamed Kamara aka Money Jagaban, who suddenly surfaced during the APC National Delegates’ Conference in Makeni, will have a slim chance of been chosen by the presidential candidate as his running-mate, given that he is not popular in the party despite his display of glowing wealth.
Hon. Chernoh Bah has been accused by many of Dr. Samura Kamara’s supporters of not doing enough for the party in Parliament.

According to the new APC 2022 Constitution, it is the prerogative of the presidential candidate to choose his running-mate and present him\her to the National Advisory Committee (NAC). But the one-million-dollar-question begging for an answer is, will Dr. Samura Kamara turn down his political godfather’s recommendation for Hon. Chernor Bah?