My dear Comrades,

As our party conducts its lower-level elections across the country, I want to speak directly to every member, supporter and well-wisher of the DIB Movement.

First, thank you. I remain deeply grateful for your support, commitment and the sacrifices you continue to make. I do not take any of it for granted.

These elections are an important moment for our party. They give our members at the grassroots the opportunity to choose those they believe should serve and, in doing so, strengthen the APC from the ground up.

There will naturally be different candidates, different preferences and, at times, strong disagreements. That is part of democracy. But competition should never turn fellow comrades into enemies.

I therefore appeal to everyone associated with the DIB Movement to conduct themselves with dignity, discipline and restraint. Respect the process, respect those entrusted with conducting it and, above all, respect one another. There should be no place for violence, insults, personal attacks or provocation, whether in our communities or on social media.

It is equally important that every member is able to participate freely and with confidence that the same rules apply to everyone. Our internal democracy is strengthened when the process is fair, orderly and free from undue pressure or intimidation. Where genuine concerns arise, they should be addressed peacefully through the appropriate channels.

Whatever the circumstances, I encourage you to remain calm and disciplined. Stand firmly for fairness and for the right of every member to participate freely, but do not be drawn into confrontation or provocation.

These elections will come and go, but we will still need one another.

Those who are elected should be gracious and reach out to those who contested against them. Those who are unsuccessful should remain engaged and continue contributing to the party. No internal election should leave a committed member feeling that there is no longer a place for them in the APC.

For me, this is what Heal, Unite and Build means. It is not simply a slogan. It is about how we treat one another, especially when we disagree, when we compete and when things do not go our way.

The DIB Movement remains committed to a strong and united APC. Whatever our individual preferences in these elections, the party must remain bigger than any one person, group or contest.

The way we conduct ourselves within our party also matters beyond the APC. The fairness, tolerance and respect we want to see in the politics of Sierra Leone must begin with us.

So, as this process continues, participate fully. Stand for what you believe in and support your preferred candidates, but never lose sight of what unites us.

When the voting ends, we must still be comrades.

Let us heal where there have been differences, unite around our shared purpose and continue building a stronger APC together.

Thank you once again for your commitment and support.

May God protect everyone taking part in these elections and guide our party through this process in peace and unity.

With gratitude and respect,

*Dr Ibrahim Bangura*
*2028 APC Flagbearer Aspirant*