Former President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and also National Chairman and Leader of the All Peoples Congress, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, was today Friday May 18, 2018, accorded a historic and heroic welcome to his home city of Makeni for the first time after the March 2018 elections and to commence his official retirement from the presidency after successfully handing over the baton of leadership on Saturday May, 12, 2018.
Accompanied by a galaxy of notable Comrades including his wife Madam Sia Nyama Koroma, the National Secretary General, Ambassador Osman Foday Yansaneh, the Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray and the APC March 2018 presidential candidate Dr Samura Kamara, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma thanked the people of Makeni for discovering his political acumen and leadership qualities way back in 1977 when they first rallied around him to become their Member of Parliament and for the support he received from them during his tenure as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
He congratulated all elected Members of Parliament, Mayors, District Chairpersons and local councillors of the APC, describing the just concluded multi tier elections as a difficult moment for the party.
He thanked the party for the confidence reposed in him and assured all that his membership and commitment to the party remains sacrosanct.
The National Chairman and Leader while disclosing that his coming to Makeni was not for the purpose of holidaying or to spend the weekend but to permanently reside in Bombali, told the mammoth gathering that a committee has been constituted by the National Advisory Committee of the party to conduct a forensic investigation into the circumstances of the just concluded presidential election.
Dr Ernest Bai Koroma also assured all that the APC will bounce back to power after five years in 2023.
Speaking earlier, Mayor of the City of Makeni Her Worship Madam Sunkarie Kabbah Kamara described the large turn out and spectacle of thunderous clamoring of singing and dancing as both historic and heroic.
Paramount Chief Bai Shebora Kassangha II on behalf of residents of Bombali Shebora expressed delight that the former President choose to retire in his home town. He noted that they are proud of his service and assured him of a peaceful retirement. He furthered thank him for peacefully handing over the baton of leadership.
Member of Parliament representing constituency 39, Hon Ibrahim Ben Kargbo described Dr Ernest Bai Koroma as a true son of Bombali noting that the people of Bombali are extremely proud of him. He pointed out that the former president made Sierra Leone proud during his tenure as president and assured the National Chairman and Leader that the people will always stand by him.
© APC National Publicity Secretariat
May 18, 2018
