Popular Sierra Leonean artist and entrepreneur Nasser Ayoub has advised Mohamed Bangura, a defiant member of parliament elected from the All People's Congress (APC), to switch political parties to enjoy his five years in the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) regime.
Ayoub made the suggestion in a Facebook post, writing in Krio, "Pa Bangura, enjoy these five years that are left. Take my advice and switch parties, because you and I know that the SLPP is in power."
Ayoub's post comes after Bangura took the oath of office in the Sierra Leone Sixth Parliament on July 13, 2023, despite the APC's decision not to participate in government until its demands are met.
The APC took this decision after it was defeated in the June 24 general elections. The party has demanded, among other things, the publication of disaggregated polling station results to corroborate the results read out by the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL).
All 54 APC MPs, except for Bangura, have agreed to the party's decision not to participate in government.
Ayoub's advice to Bangura is likely to be controversial, as it suggests that he should abandon his principles to gain personal benefits. However, it is also a reflection of the current political climate in Sierra Leone, where the APC is struggling to come to terms with its defeat in the general elections.