By Francess Wright
As the All People’s Congress (APC) intensifies internal conversations over its future leadership and electoral strategy ahead of the 2028 General Elections, one name continues to dominate discussions within party structures, among grassroots supporters and across Sierra Leone’s wider political landscape: Hon. Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah, popularly known as Chericoco.
Widely regarded as one of the APC’s most experienced, disciplined and nationally respected figures, Chericoco is increasingly being projected by supporters and political observers alike as the party’s best presidential material to lead the APC into the 2028 elections and potentially emerge as Sierra Leone’s next President.
A seasoned lawyer, accomplished Parliamentarian, former Deputy Speaker of Parliament and former Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah’s political career has been defined by consistency, resilience and an unwavering commitment to democratic governance. His rise through Sierra Leone’s political ranks has not been driven by political theatrics, but by a steady record of legislative leadership, constitutional discipline and institutional loyalty.
Born in Freetown on 29 April 1972, Chericoco first rose to national prominence after winning the Brookfields parliamentary seat in 2007. His repeated electoral victories in one of Freetown’s most politically active constituencies reflected not only strong grassroots support but also public confidence in his ability to represent national interests with competence and integrity.
Over the years, his parliamentary influence deepened significantly through his stewardship of critical committees, including the Legislative Committee and the Mines and Minerals Resources Committee, where he played key oversight roles in national lawmaking and governance debates surrounding Sierra Leone’s extractive sector.
His calm temperament, mastery of parliamentary procedure and ability to build consensus across political lines later earned him unanimous support as Deputy Speaker of Parliament in 2012. In that role, he distinguished himself as a disciplined statesman who prioritized order, fairness and institutional respect, reinforcing Parliament’s role as a pillar of democracy.
That reputation for balanced leadership and national appeal informed the APC’s strategic decision to select him as its vice presidential running mate in the 2018 elections, a move that significantly elevated his national profile and expanded his support base across the East, South, North, North-West and Western Area.
Today, as the APC weighs its path to political renewal and a return to State House, many within the party believe Chericoco embodies the exact qualities required for victory in 2028: experience, unity, credibility, strategic depth and cross-regional appeal.
Supporters describe him as a leader whose strength lies in substance rather than spectacle. They point to his calm but firm approach to politics, his loyalty to party structures during difficult periods and his consistent engagement with grassroots supporters as evidence that he remains one of the APC’s most formidable assets.
Political analysts note that in an era where Sierra Leoneans increasingly demand issue-based leadership, institutional maturity and national cohesion, Chericoco’s profile stands out as uniquely suited to reconnect the APC with broader voter blocs beyond traditional party strongholds.
His supporters further argue that he represents a bridge between the APC’s historic legacy and the demands of a modern democratic electorate, combining seasoned institutional memory with the humility and accessibility often required to inspire public trust.
Unlike politicians whose visibility rises only during election cycles, Chericoco has remained consistently active in national dialogue, community engagement, constitutional advocacy, youth empowerment and peacebuilding initiatives. His political relevance has therefore been sustained not by campaign rhetoric but by continuity of service.
Within APC circles, growing voices are urging delegates and stakeholders to prioritize stability, tested leadership and national electability as the party prepares for future flagbearer decisions. For many of those voices, Hon. Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah represents the safest and strongest strategic choice.
His supporters insist that the 2028 election will require more than popularity alone; it will demand a candidate with governance experience, legal insight, national credibility and the temperament to unify a politically diverse nation. In their view, Chericoco fits that description more convincingly than any other emerging contender.
As internal momentum builds, his name continues to resonate as the APC’s most credible presidential prospect; one whose leadership journey, institutional pedigree and broad national appeal may well position him as the man to lead the party back to power in 2028.
With Sierra Leone’s political atmosphere gradually shifting toward the next electoral cycle, Hon. Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah remains not only a central figure in APC calculations but increasingly the symbol of the party’s hopes for unity, renewal and national victory.
