The multi-tier elections held on June 24, 2023, have concluded, and President Julius Maada Bio has been re-elected without a run-off. However, even before the elections took place, Samura Kamara and his APC operatives began complaining and challenging the Electoral Commission Sierra Leone (ECSL). They demanded various actions, such as obtaining the Voters' Register, issuing new Voters' ID cards, changing the election process, and resignations of officials. The APC's lack of preparedness for the elections was evident, but instead of acknowledging their shortcomings, Kamara and his team blamed everything and everyone except themselves.
Despite these challenges, the elections were largely peaceful, and initially, the ECSL announced results from sixty percent of the polling stations. These figures showed President Bio with a comfortable lead, eliminating the need for a run-off.
However, prior to this announcement, APC operatives, including Samura Kamara, falsely claimed victory on social media. Their supporters took to the streets to celebrate this misleading information. The sixty percent result announcement temporarily quieted them, but soon after, the APC's social media propagandists began manipulating the interpretation of the partial results.
Eventually, on the eve of Eid ul Adha, Chief Electoral Commissioner and Returning Officer Mohamed Konneh announced the final results. As expected, President Julius Maada Bio won without a run-off, securing 56% of the votes, while Samura Kamara received an impressive but surprising 41%.
Despite his loss, Samura Kamara has refused to concede and accept the election outcome, putting forth his reasons for disagreeing with Mohamed Konneh of the ECSL. To set the record straight for the public and future generations, here are ten reasons why Samura Kamara, the APC presidential candidate, lost the June 24th, 2023 Presidential Elections to President Julius Maada Bio:
Lack of Preparation: Samura Kamara and the APC were ill-prepared for the elections, showing no signs of readiness to challenge the incumbent Julius Maada Bio. They failed to capitalize on several opportunities, including the state of the economy.
Absence of a Campaign Team: Samura Kamara and the APC lacked a dedicated campaign team. Prominent APC members were conspicuously absent from the campaign, leaving Kamara isolated. Lone rangers rarely win elections.
Lack of Autonomy: Samura Kamara was controlled by hidden forces, primarily Ernest Bai Koroma and his surrogate, Adebayor. A successful presidential candidate needs to be independent and capable of making tough decisions. Without autonomy, one cannot effectively manage and direct their own campaign.
The Kono Factor: Due to Kamara's lack of autonomy, his godfather sidelined the people of Kono, resulting in their alienation. The APC's national executive disregarded the significance of Kono, a swing district. Additionally, incitement from Adebayor led to the burning of Diana Konomanyi's house. Kamara's statement that Kono was not more important than other regions further aggravated the situation. Consequently, President Bio and the SLPP won over the entire Kono district with their message of inclusivity.
Overreliance on Strongholds: Winning elections in Sierra Leone requires more than relying solely on one's stronghold. This was a critical mistake made by the APC and Kamara. They failed to make efforts to collaborate with smaller parties before the polls. While the APC secured Charles Margai's support, President Bio had already gained the support of NGC's Kandeh Yumkella, C4C's Emerson Saa Lamina, and other minor parties. With the Progressive Alliance and C4C on the SLPP's side, even if Sam Sumana had supported Kamara, the APC would still have lost.
Lack of Focus and Direction: The APC campaign lacked clarity and purpose. While the SLPP effectively spread their message across the country, Kamara and the APC wasted their energy on procedural battles with the ECSL. Redirecting that energy towards campaign activities could have benefited their cause.
Financial Constraints: Running an election campaign requires substantial financial resources. Unfortunately, the APC and Kamara presented themselves as a financially struggling party. They were unable to organize efficiently, purchase campaign materials, energize their supporters, or articulate their vision for the country. Without these fundamental elements, winning an election becomes nearly impossible.
Party Division: The APC party was deeply divided, and Kamara did nothing to unite the warring factions. Even on the eve of the elections, one faction was in court against Kamara and his godfather's faction. If it weren't for the judiciary's intervention to safeguard democracy, Kamara might not have been eligible to participate.
Defections: The defections of former Vice President Victor Foh and APC spokesperson Alpha Kanu were unprecedented in Sierra Leone's political history. Foh abandoned his party and pledged support to the opposition, while Kanu actively campaigned for President Bio and the SLPP. These defections demonstrated President Bio's determination to secure re-election without a run-off. Numerous other APC members, including parliamentarians and councilors, either declared their support for President Bio or quietly supported him.
Overreliance on Social Media: Kamara and the APC heavily relied on social media to spread lies and propaganda during the campaign. However, using social media as the primary communication platform for winning elections has rarely been effective. Former U.S. President Donald Trump's reliance on social media did not secure his re-election, and similar outcomes were seen with NGC's Kandeh Yumkella and Peter Obi of Nigeria. Kamara overlooked this reality, believing social media hype was an accurate gauge of his popularity and electoral chances. When the sixty percent presidential results were announced, the social media propagandists disappeared, leaving Kamara and the APC isolated. By the time the final results were released, they had realized their mistake, but it was too late.
These ten reasons clearly illustrate why Samura Kamara lost the presidential election. It is crucial for Sierra Leoneans and our international partners to recognize that the APC and Kamara had already lost the elections before polling day. They neglected important pre-election activities such as the 2022 population census and voter registration.
If you were surprised by the "we wan vote" chants in Makeni, it is essential to remember that one cannot vote without registering.
Let us reflect on our past, focus on the present, and strive to create a better future for our children.