The Dr. Ibrahim Bangura (DIB) Movement has recorded a significant political breakthrough in Kono District after emerging victorious in seven of the nine All People’s Congress (APC) constituency elections, with influential party figures Aiah Maxwell Konoekor and Madam Diana Konomanyi reaffirming their support for Dr. Ibrahim Bangura’s bid to become the party’s flagbearer for the 2028 presidential election.
The endorsement was made during a strategic engagement with Dr. Bangura at the DIB Movement Secretariat in Wilberforce, Freetown, where party leaders from Kono declared that the district was increasingly aligning behind his leadership.
Speaking during the meeting, Maxwell disclosed that the DIB Movement secured victories in seven of the nine APC constituencies in Kono during the party’s recently concluded internal elections, describing the outcome as a clear indication of the growing acceptance of Dr. Bangura’s leadership across the district.
“With the massive support from my people, DIB will continue to lead the entire Kono District,” Maxwell said.
He explained that the seven constituencies were previously considered strongholds of former Vice President Alhaji Samuel Sam-Sumana, making the outcome a major shift in the district’s political dynamics.
According to Maxwell, the remaining two constituencies are scheduled for rerun elections following decisions by the APC, expressing confidence that the DIB Movement would complete a clean sweep when the elections are conducted.
“We are sure that we as a DIB Movement in Kono will also win those constituencies,” he stated.
The development comes as the APC continues efforts to rebuild its political structures in Kono District after suffering electoral setbacks in previous national elections. Party members have often attributed the decline in the district to internal divisions and the decision by some prominent politicians to support rival political parties, weakening the APC’s grassroots support.
Maxwell said the political mood in Kono had changed considerably, noting that residents were now placing greater emphasis on leadership capacity, national development and commitment to the district rather than personal or family affiliations.
“We the people of Kono will not cast our vote due to sentiment of family affiliation but to work with someone who has the country and Kono District at heart,” he said.
He further revealed that preparations were already underway for a large public declaration of support for Dr. Bangura in Kono District, adding that hundreds of grassroots supporters and party leaders had expressed their readiness to publicly endorse his presidential ambition.
“As of now we have hundreds of grassroots and leaders in Kono that are willing to do a public declaration for Dr. Ibrahim Bangura in no time very soon,” Maxwell said.
Maxwell also paid tribute to Madam Diana Konomanyi for her continued role in mobilising APC members and strengthening the party’s structures across the district.
“The people of Kono do appreciate the work put by myself as the Giant of politics in the East in Kono District and the Iron Lady Madam Diana Konomanyi,” he stated.
The meeting forms part of Dr. Bangura’s ongoing consultations with party stakeholders across Sierra Leone as he intensifies his campaign ahead of the APC flagbearer race for the 2028 presidential election.
While the APC National Secretariat is yet to announce dates for the rerun elections in the two outstanding constituencies in Kono, leaders of the DIB Movement remain optimistic that the district will consolidate behind Dr. Bangura, strengthening his position as the party prepares for the next electoral cycle.