Party leaders, grassroots supporters, and key stakeholders of the All People’s Congress (APC) held its National Leadership Mammoth Meeting turned out in large numbers on Saturday, 31 January 2026 reflecting growing momentum within the APC and a collective desire to rebuild, reorganize, and return stronger ahead of the next national polls.
Speaking at the sidelines of the event, the President of the We Duti Lappa Development Organisation, Madam Ya Yeabu Zainab Sheriff, described the meeting as a turning point for the party, emphasizing unity, inclusiveness, and strategic planning as the APC’s path forward.
“This meeting is about bringing everyone together and setting a clear direction for the future,” she said. “The APC is already laying the foundation for 2028, and it is encouraging to see leaders and supporters moving with one spirit.”
Madam Sheriff stressed the importance of learning from past elections, noting that the party’s major weakness previously was not a lack of popular support but failure to adequately protect votes and safeguard democratic rights.
“We did not lose because the people rejected us,” she said firmly. “We lost because we failed to properly defend the will of our supporters. That must never happen again.”
According to her, one of the main reasons she attended the meeting was to hear directly from party leadership about reforms being introduced to strengthen transparency, accountability, and electoral preparedness.
She acknowledged that the APC disappointed its supporters in the last election but expressed strong confidence that lessons have been learned and corrective measures are now underway.
A strong advocate for women’s participation in politics, Madam Sheriff reaffirmed that women remain central to the APC’s mobilisation drive.
“Women are ready to rise,” she said. “We are determined to mobilise across communities and encourage greater participation, not only as voters but as leaders.”
She praised the massive turnout in the Western Area, describing it as a clear sign that the APC still enjoys strong grassroots support and remains a formidable political force.
On issues of governance, Madam Sheriff issued a stern warning against corruption, urging party members, especially women, to stand up for their rights and demand accountability at all levels.
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s painful history, she cautioned against dictatorship and any attempt to undermine democratic freedoms.
“Our country suffered through a brutal civil war,” she reminded supporters. “We must never allow anything that takes us back to oppression or one-party rule. Democracy must be protected at all costs.”
Looking ahead to 2028, she called on APC supporters to remain vigilant and proactive in defending their votes.
“Time waits for no one,” she said. “What we do today will shape tomorrow. If we want change, we must prepare and protect our democracy.”
In a passionate appeal focused on gender empowerment, Madam Sheriff encouraged women to contest for political office in the next elections, arguing that Sierra Leone must give women a stronger voice in national leadership.
“At 62 years of independence, it is time to give women a real chance to lead,” she said. “Men have had their opportunities, and the country is still struggling. Let women show what they can do for Mama Salone.”
She pointed to the Mayor of Freetown as an example of women’s leadership potential and insisted that many capable women across the country are ready to serve if given the opportunity.
Concluding her remarks, Madam Sheriff welcomed the APC’s renewed commitment to constitutionalism and internal reforms but urged male party members to support women’s leadership ambitions.
“When women lead, positive change follows,” she said. “Let us work together and allow women to take their rightful place in shaping the future of Sierra Leone.”
