Tonkolili District came alive on Sunday, 23 November 2025, as supporters gathered in their numbers to welcome Dr. Ibrahim Bangura, one of the leading contenders for the APC flagbearer position. The turnout, which stretched from the main roundabout to the community field, set the tone for a day filled with energy, gratitude, and reflection.
Addressing the crowd, Dr. Bangura said the reception was a clear sign that “Tonkolili is ready.” He noted that the district had always shown unwavering loyalty to the APC, adding that the people simply needed notice, and they would turn out in strength.
He thanked the women, men, and young people who travelled from various parts of the district to be present. Their enthusiasm, he said, reflected a sense of unity and purpose within the APC family and the local executive.
Dr. Bangura spoke warmly about his connection to Tonkolili, explaining that the place carries deep personal significance. Several members of his extended family were born in the district, and over the years he has built bonds that make Tonkolili feel like home. It was also one of the first districts to stand firmly by him when the campaign began.
He reminded the audience of Tonkolili’s strong showing for the party in the 2023 elections, noting that the district has always stood by the APC through difficult and uncertain times. “It shows that no matter what life brings, we stand with and for the APC,” he said.
Turning to development priorities, Dr. Bangura stressed Tonkolili’s unique position as a district that links several others across the country. Because of this strategic location, he said, the next APC government would prioritise better roads to ease travel, support trade, and help farmers move their produce more efficiently.
Improved roads, he noted, would bring real economic benefits. Farmers would be able to transport rice, vegetables, and other produce without the losses and delays that often come with poor road conditions. Tonkolili already contributes significantly to national agriculture, and he believes stronger infrastructure will help the district do even more.
Read Also: Minister of Finance Sheku Bangura to Deliver FY2026 Budget Statement Before Parliament
He spoke about Sierra Leone as a nation that its people love but one that still needs deep and sustained development. He reflected on the period after the civil war, when young people struggled with unemployment and instability. Artists captured those struggles through music, including a well-known line from the Jungle Leaders: “Mama nor de work, papa nor get money; I want go school, but the system makes I worry. The poor man sorry; I go live this life wey he no get money.”
“These words were deep,” Dr. Bangura said. “They spoke to our struggles then, and they continue to speak to our struggles today.”
With that reminder, he called for renewed commitment, unity, and hard work as the district and the party prepare for the years ahead.
