APC’S UNITY DRIVE IN PUJEHUN: SIDIE YAHYA TUNIS TAKES THE MESSAGE TO THE GRASSROOTS By George Philip Jambawai

 APC’S UNITY DRIVE IN PUJEHUN: SIDIE YAHYA TUNIS TAKES THE MESSAGE TO THE GRASSROOTS

By George Philip Jambawai

As the All People’s Congress (APC) looks toward the 2028 general elections, the challenge is not only to win votes but also to rebuild trust, address internal grievances, and close ranks within its political house.

In Pujehun District, Sidie Yahya Tunis, a senior APC


 member and native of the district, is taking that message to the grassroots, calling for reconciliation and supporting party structures. But can a renewed spirit of togetherness translate into electoral gains?

His October 8 visit brought him to Zimmi, Potoru and Pujehun Town, where APC and Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) supporters came together to welcome him, putting political differences aside in a show of local solidarity.

Against the backdrop of the APC’s efforts to strengthen its grassroots structures following lower-level elections, Tunis urged members to ease tensions, restore trust and unite behind a common goal of challenging the ruling SLPP at the ballot box.

Support for Party Structures

In Zimmi Constituency 101, Tunis toured the APC district party office, where renovation work was ongoing. He said the current district chairman, Sylvester Massaquoi, had paid for the building to be made available for party use.

Tunis pledged to meet the renovation costs, explaining that expenditure had reached approximately Le50,000 at the time of the visit, with more work still required to bring the facility to the desired standard.

In Potoru, Constituency 099, he provided financial assistance to secure office space for party activities. He also donated six motorbikes to Constituency 101 to improve mobility and support party operations.



While these interventions could strengthen grassroots organisation, their lasting impact will depend on how effectively the resources are managed and used beyond the immediate political engagement.

Massaquoi Calls for Forgiveness

APC district chairman Sylvester Massaquoi called for reconciliation, asking forgiveness for any wrong he might have committed during the party’s electioneering activities. He also expressed his willingness to forgive others and work with everyone in the interest of the party.

Massaquoi appreciated Tunis for his continued support and, while receiving the motorbike keys, promised to ensure that the vehicles would be used for their intended purpose.

His remarks underscored the importance of addressing grievances left by internal elections, where disagreements can continue long after the ballots have been counted.

For reconciliation to be meaningful, however, expressions of forgiveness must translate into cooperation and a willingness to put collective interests above personal differences.

There Is Life After Politics

Alie Bao, one of the party’s active supporters, reminded members that there is life after politics and that disagreements should not destroy relationships within the party, district and country.

He argued that there was no need for members to continue fighting among themselves, stressing that unity and togetherness would be essential if the APC hoped to improve its electoral fortunes in 2028.

His message reflects a broader reality of political life in Sierra Leone: political opponents often live in the same communities, maintain family relationships and depend on one another in their daily lives.

Political competition is part of democracy, but it should not become a source of permanent hostility among neighbours and community members.

The Road to 2028

The unity drive comes as the APC seeks to improve its electoral performance in Pujehun District following the 2023 general elections. The party’s presidential vote in the district was reportedly fewer than 10,000, a figure that should be checked against official election results.

Improving that performance will require more than meetings and donations. The party must strengthen its constituency structures, address internal grievances and maintain meaningful engagement with voters.

Tunis’s visit has placed reconciliation and grassroots support at the centre of that effort. Yet the real test will be whether members can sustain cooperation after the meetings end and whether the resources provided contribute to stronger organisation.

For the APC in Pujehun, the road to State House may begin with repairing relationships at home.

After all, a divided house will struggle to win the neighbourhood. And in politics, unity is not measured by how many people stand together at a gathering, but by whether they remain together when the pressure returns.

 

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