The Siaka Stevens Stadium was virtually empty today as Sierra Leoneans boycotted the traditional Independence Anniversary Day program which always featured a march past of the armed and auxillary forces, school children, civil organizations and many citizens’ groups, and usually followed by an address by the Head of State and feasting and merriment . It had always been a regal and resplendent occasion, with military and police marching bands in attendance and all the trappings of state power and euphoric excitement from thousands of people who would jam -pack the Stadium.
But this time, it was not to be as Sierra Leoneans kept away, leaving the whole stadium to President Maada Bio and his feisty wife, Fatima Bio who has become notorious for controlling state functions as if she is the President.
In further blow to President Bio’s prestige and acceptability by the people, the President and his wife were celebrating Sierra Leone 58 independence in a virtually empty stadium.
Sierra Leoneans posting on social media platforms said the boycott of the Independence Anniversary program was a backlash from the people of Sierra Leone to show their displeasure with President Bio and his government and one lady called MASERAY KAMARA said she wanted the international community “to see these pictures and know that We don’t want this man as our President “.
Just yesterday, President Bio was rejected by the people when he went unannounced in the streets of Freetown to test his popularity. Nobody hailed or acclaimed him , as is usually the case when the Head of State pops up in public. People were indifferent and went about their business as if a whole President of a nation was not walking alongside them.
The reasons that President Bio is facing such abject and scornful rejection from the public are varied but the main ones are the present socio-economic plight since he came to power, with prices of food escalating , the value of the national currency plummeting , money not circulating and creating extreme hardship to the point that Sierra Leoneans now have a new catchphrase , DE GRON DRY ( The ground is dry, meaning there is no food, no money and basic commodities ). Other reasons are the human rights abuses of the government and the unlawful and summary dismissals of Northwesterners and their replacement by Southeasterners.
Life has become much more harder than it were during the tenure of former President Ernest Koroma and the APC Government. Even yesterday, the eve of the Independence Anniversary, there was no water in the city and electricity was cut, plunging the country into darkness.
Therefore, the people are very mad with the President and Government and decided to snub the Independence Anniversary ceremony.
Israel Ojekeh Parper Snr
Shekpendeh Kokoima to Make we Put Sierra Leone fos.
Mohamed Kamara to RADIO DEMOCRACY FM 98.1 >>www.radiodemocracy.sl
*Bio, First Lady Celebrate Independence Anniversary in Empty Stadium*
Reports reaching us from the National Stadium revealed that the President and his wife are celebrating Sierra Leone 58 independence in a virtually empty stadium.
The reason many people has decided not to go is because the First Lady, Fatima Jabbie Bio has usurped a National activity just like the inauguration.
Others believed that the current hardship in the country is also another factor for the poor turnout for the independence celebration.
Interestingly, even the Women’s wing of the ruling SLPP is believed to have boycotted the celebration.
Details later
©NEW AGE Newspaper
Fayia Amara Fayia
2 hrs ·
PRESIDENT BIO AND GRACE MUGABIO…
This Is What You Get When You Politicize National Event Amidst Economic hardship Among The Masses.
Mamu Al Conteh
If this does not scare them, I don’t know what will. The emptiness. The silence. The determination of our people to send a message, is just admirable.
This is Sierra Leone.
Tamba Borbor to The Reporter Online
🔷THE PEOPLE WOULD RETALIATE WHEN YOU NEED THEM MOST TO FILL UP THE NATIONAL STADIUM ON 58TH INDEPENDENCE DAY ANNIVERSARY🔷
🇸🇱INDEED DE GRON DRY🤔🤔
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Toni Kay This is really sad , with the present situation and suffering of our people I see no need to even say a happy Independence Day. Because my country people are crying, going to be without food.
The message sent to this people is clear , you hate us we hate you. -
Mado Stretch Dem go learnAlimamy Issa Kamara If dem dae pay attention dem go understand say d pple are sending a warning signs for 2023
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Hakim Tarawally E dry Ho. Really the grun dry.
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Amadu Kainda Jalloh The Gron dry 😂
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Prince Danny Pa d gron dry oo, SLPP dry yeh cover shame, you know watin una gbain gains this government, na way nor dae, pas we all bear. 😁😁😁 SLPP suffer posh
