Dual Citizenship Concerns Emerge as APC Flagbearer Aspirant Jagaban Gains Attention

Public discussion over dual citizenship and presidential eligibility has resurfaced following renewed attention on All People’s Congress (APC) flagbearer aspirant Mohamed Omodu Kamara, popularly known as Jagaban.

Jagaban, a businessman and politician, relocated to the United States in 1998, where he established a home and business and became a prominent figure in the Sierra Leonean diaspora before returning to active political life in Sierra Leone. His extended residence abroad has sparked renewed curiosity over constitutional citizenship requirements for individuals seeking the presidency.

The debate gained momentum after fellow APC aspirant Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr confirmed that she would renounce her British citizenship to meet the constitutional criteria for presidential candidates. Under Section 75(1)(a) of the 1991 Constitution, any person holding the citizenship of another country is disqualified from contesting the presidency, making sole Sierra Leonean citizenship a requirement.

While there is no official documentation or public declaration indicating that Jagaban holds foreign citizenship, political observers note that questions about eligibility often intensify as elections approach, especially for candidates with extended periods abroad.

Dual citizenship controversies are not new in Sierra Leonean politics. Similar debates arose during former President Ernest Bai Koroma’s tenure, particularly regarding Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, a controversy widely believed to have influenced his presidential bid.

As preparations for the 2028 elections take shape, discussions around constitutional qualifications suggest that citizenship and eligibility will remain central to public discourse, particularly as aspirants position themselves for leadership within their parties.

At the time of publication, neither Jagaban nor the APC had issued an official response to the renewed discussions.