Declaring 2028 Presidential Bid… Alhassan Kanu Advocates For National Unity
By Abdul Rahman Bah
On Sunday, 3rd August 2025, Alhassan Gbessay Kanu officially declared his intention to run for President in Sierra Leone’s 2028 general elections, using a live media-focused event titled “Sip and Talk” at Grassfield 115 Bai Bureh Road in the eastern part of Freetown. The dialogue brought together journalists and community members for a frank discussion about leadership, national suffering, and his vision for a united Sierra Leone.
Speaking passionately, Kanu said his decision to enter the race for the APC flagbearership was driven by deep frustration with the country’s direction and the hardships facing ordinary citizens. “I don’t like what I see,” he told the press, stressing that he was not pursuing politics for power, but out of a duty to change the system and restore hope.
He shared powerful personal memories of the 1992 military crackdown, during which his father—former Finance Minister, Hassan Gbessay Kanu—was arrested and detained, forcing the family to flee. Kanu later sought asylum in the U.S., working his way through college by selling CDs and DVDs, and eventually building a 25-year career in public service in New York. He served as a district director and political strategist, gaining hands-on experience in governance and legislative leadership.
He described the media as an essential partner in his journey: “I opened this house to the media because transparency is key. The media must help us build a Sierra Leone that works.” Kanu emphasised that he is not a career politician, but a trained public servant shaped by real-world leadership.
As the APC looks to fill its leadership vacuum post-election, Kanu positioned himself as a candidate of unity, promising to collaborate with former and current leaders, regardless of political affiliation. He pledged to build a new Sierra Leone that serves all citizens across tribes, regions, and classes.
In closing, he called for national cooperation, declaring: “We are not enemies, we are one Sierra Leone. The mission ahead is bigger than politics. It’s a mission to rescue our future.”
