They rigged my vote, but they couldn’t kill my dream. Eight years ago, Dr. Alhaji K. Tarawally’s political story began when he stepped forward as one of the youngest parliamentary aspirants in the 2018 elections.
Representing the National Grand Coalition (NGC), I became part of a new third-party force challenging the APC and the SLPP—two of Africa’s oldest political parties that have presided over 64 years of deplorable governance in Sierra Leone.
I had no big money and offered no freebies; I offered only a vision for change. After watching our beloved country struggle under failed policies for decades, I believed I was destined to utilize my administrative, public policy, and entrepreneurial experience to remake and rebuild Sierra Leone.
These photos from that time tell the story better than words ever could. I pulled the largest crowd in the capital city, assembling the biggest political momentum in the country’s parliamentary race. The entertainment industry, the youth, and the progressives were determined to elect me. This surge of support made the ruling government, especially President Ernest Bai Koroma, uncomfortable. My constituency became a battleground.
The President personally instructed Paulo Conteh, the Minister of Defence and a descendant of the Wilberforce community, to ensure that I didn’t win his residential constituency at Hill Station. The threat was clear: if they failed to deliver the seat, they would face consequences. All my billboards were destroyed, but my supporters and I remained resilient, working tirelessly to change the status quo.
The love I received was real and massive. The support from Freetown and the various communities within my constituency was historic for a newcomer. I will never forget the loyalty shown by Ward 436 communities like Comium Pole, Water Well, 2Slab, New England, Hill Cut, Hill Station, and Gban Gban Yillah. Equally, the residents of Ward 437—including Gwent Height, Spur Loop, Las Palmas, Maize Drive, Tank Yard, Wilberforce Village, Wilberforce Barracks, and Signal Hill—stood by me with unwavering strength.
Even while contesting for a parliamentary seat, I multitasked by serving on the NGC’s 2018 Presidential Media and Campaign Committee for Dr. Alhaji Kandeh Yumkella under Dr. Julius Spencer’s chairmanship, contributing to the party’s success and national visibility.
When the 2018 parliamentary results were announced, the outcome was heartbreaking. Although political pundits and the majority of Freetownians had forecast my win, I lost to the incumbent government in a rigged, manipulated parliamentary election in which I was outspent 10 to 1. However, what kept my spirit alive was the genuine love from the people.
Following my acceptance of the results, I decided to take an eight-year hiatus from active politics to pursue advanced education abroad. I completed double master’s degrees in Germany and the UK, and later, my PhD research in the United States, focusing on public policy and international relations. This period of academic enrichment was crucial to honing the expertise needed to address Sierra Leone’s developmental challenges upon my return.
Looking back, launching my political career in 2018 was one of the best decisions of my life. I have no regrets. That decision defined my life and sparked a mission to empower myself through education so I could better serve my country.
I deeply cherish the trust you placed in me and will never take it for granted. But the work isn’t done—we are still fighting to rewrite our country’s political history. Since then, I have been preparing myself across the globe to return home ahead of 2028 to finish what I started, with a renewed mindset and as part of a dynamic third-force movement.
Follow my work and grab a copy of my book “African Brain Drain” using this website link: www.dralhajiktarawally.com
The political story continues; let’s see what happens ahead of 2028. 🇸🇱💪🏾