The dust has settled for true as APC (All People’s Congress) is now a formidable entity to take on SLPP (Sierra Leone People’s Party) in June 24, 2023 elections. Intra-party divisions have ceased, old wounds healed, party ties strengthened and new friends made as APC heads for victory, and only time keeps the party waiting.
Thanks to former President Ernest Bai Koroma, ex-Minister of Mines, Minkailu Mansaray and erstwhile Ambassador and Secretary-General, Foday Osman Yansaneh. The three have displayed incredible resilience as they weathered the storm in the midst of SLPP threats, political thuggery and violence. They neatly fit into the axiom that rough seas make good captains.
Amid Rough sea, Ernest and his able lieutenants smoothly captain the boat which has safely landed on the shore. APC, Sierra Leone’s main opposition which, many see as a party in crisis has been stabilised.
It is clear that, at the moment, the party is well afloat through manful control. Despite pressure from the ruling SLPP, the party has held one of the most peaceful, orderly and credible conventions the party has ever seen. The convention which was held under the auspices of former President Ernest Bai Koroma saw the emergence of Dr Samura Kamara as the most preferred choice.
Other hard working and committed officials too were elected to assist the new flag-bearer, a man who has passed two tests of democracy: he was first selected and later elected. His resounding victory which came in February, this year was widely expected.
By his moves, Samura kamara seems to have hit the ground running. With a high hope of becoming the next President, he is already working out modalities for effective and efficient service delivery to the people after June when he shall taken the seat of the presidency. Leading APC in the face of great turbulence and painful circumstances has been a tough ride on the rocks. But, former President Koroma showed gallantry, tact and wisdom to overcome.
The convention would have been another big failure if former President Koroma had reneged on his God-given responsibility. Sierra Leoneans were taken aback when Justice Hannah Bonnie slammed an injunction on the APC. The APC, according to the terms of the injunction, was not supposed to hold any convention in Makeni owing to a lawsuit filed by Francis Kai Gbondo that anybody who has a case to answer should not contest in the race for the flag-bearership. As usual, well-armed
Trigger-happy police officers took over APC office in Makeni, venue of the convention. The youth however were determined to go ahead with the convention despite the restraining order of the court. Tension was building up with no one knowing where it would end. A tactful and peace-loving President Koroma engaged the international community on the negative implications on peace if the delegates’ conference is stopped. As a man of integrity, he turned situation into APC’s favour after he convinced the diplomatic community.
The injunction was immediately lifted as government came under pressure. Former President Koroma deserves credit for the good work. He saved APC from the revolutionary and deadly PAOPA Movement. For the past four years, PAOPA has hunted APC like a roaring lion seeking to devour the party.
But, Koroma’s presence on the ground made it extremely difficult for the ruling party. Unlike other African Presidents who go into exile after their tenure, the former President stay with his people who he served in different capacities.
Through peaceful and diplomatic approach, the three men put up the strongest resistance ever seen in the country’s political history. Other strong APC men have also sacrificed their blood to make APC safe from SLPP’s demonic tricks. The party in power used means of cash and cache to shut down APC down, but with Ernest at the helm, the party has survived to this day.
The display of Quality leadership by former President Koroma could be traced back to 2002, another period of agony for APC. He took over leadership from, Eddie Turay, former flag-bearer and Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the UK. Out of power for over a decade, it goes without saying that APC needed huge financial resources if it was to make political gains again.
As a business magnate, former President Koroma readily provided the answer. Without sparing his resources, he resuscitated a party that was entering its last hours of death. Koroma took on SLPP under former late President Ahmed Tejan Kabba and raised the party to higher heights.
Owing to his pump and show, APC’s parliamentary seats were increased from 4 to 27. From that time, new hopes and aspirations emerged again as moribund and lacklustre leadership appeared to have been trampled in the dust of history.
Owing to the glorious achievements in his short coming, Koroma was given a second chance to contest the 2007 elections which he won hands down to emerge President of Sierra Leone. It was a splendid moment APC waited to see after the party was toppled in April, 1992 by the khaki boys. Koroma’s inauguration ceremony was one without equal.
It was a fantastic showcase of elation by APC membership who once again darkened the walls of State House. One of the greatest signs of Koroma’s victory was the resounding defeat of SLPP in the 2006 local council elections. It was a repetition of history after 50 years. APC defeated SLPP in the 1966 local council polls, and won the premier in 1967. Upon assumption of the Presidency, Koroma introduced a novel leadership style that was awe-inspiring.
Unlike PAOPA/SLPP, Koroma never allowed a rudderless transfer of power, but a well-organised political transition. His management of the transition was hailed as historic and second to none in Sierra Leone as it bore the US model. He worked with SLPP ministers, ambassadors, and other government officials for three months with full pay.
Nobody was harassed and intimidated not even the Fula/Mandingo Alliance (Tana Group) in Bo city whose members had escaped in fear of anticipated terrible reprisals from the Koroma regime. As a unifier, President Koroma called them out of their bunkers and enclaves to join the nation building project which, he said, was a never-ending task. “My government is not one that revenges, but one that seeks to develop the country,” he proclaimed.
The assurance took the fleeing men out of the bush to enjoy the comfort which the Koroma-led administration offerd to all without discrimination. The composition of his government was also unique. He did not only ensure an inclusive government but also offered key ministries to South-Easterners.
An ardent SLPP member, Joseph Bandabla Dauda (late) was made internal affairs minister by President Koroma. The ministry is key to state governance in that the post holder is a powerful man in the the police and defence councils. Such appointment is a rare occurrence in today’s SLPP, a party that purports to adhere to the tenets of ‘One Country, One People’ mantra.
Koroma worked for peace throughout his presidency as he did not return tit for tat. When APC office in Bo city was set ablaze by SLPP supporters, Koroma ensured that all SLPP offices in the country were safe. Police and military officers ran shifts to protect SLPP offices, a move that earned him global recognition and respect as a true democrat.
Little wonder that Koroma was flanked by former US President Barrack Obama and the UN Secretary-General during a summit of world leaders. An SLPP member based in the US could not hide his impression about the honour bestowed on Koroma. Speaking thousands of miles away from home, the SLPP member made it clear that although he did not belong to the APC, but he was impressed by what he saw at the summit.
At no time, throughout his leadership, did the former President lost composure even in the face of deep provocation. He remained calm and unruffled when Julius Maada Bio, then opposition leader put his convoy to a standstill for over ten minutes. Apart from inclusivity and political tolerance, Koroma transformed Sierra Leone to the envy and pride of Africa and beyond.
Before the accession of Koroma to the throne, Sierra Leone had the worst figures of infant and maternal mortality, the darkest city in the world talk less of provincial towns, poor roads and deplorable salaries among others. Under the Agenda for Change, he restored light to the city within 100 days.
He improved roads and streets in all towns and cities in Sierra Leone.
He also launched the Free Health Care (FHC) policy to reduce the high infant mortality rates. Under the FHC, under-five kids, pregnant women and lactating mothers enjoy gratis medical service. Government workers were also paid living wages.
The President’s achievements cannot all be catalogued here, but his achievements followed him even when he left power in 2018. The former President is now an Africa and global icon owing to his commitment to peace and democracy.
Since Koroma left power, He has led AU/ECOWAS election observer missions in seven African countries including Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa. Of all countries where former President has led observation teams, it was in Zambia he also displayed his leadership skills and experience. Ex-Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema who ruled for one term was hesitant to hand over power after his defeat. He was more frightened owing to his sour and strained relationship with his then challenger now President Edgar Lungu who was jailed on several occasions.
It was reported that Koroma personally met the defeated President Hichilema to hand over power to the new President in the interest of peace. Almost invariably, he prevailed on Lungu not to look back if he should become a successful President.
The words of caution meant that the new President should not revenge, but focus on peace building for a unified and better Zambia. Both heeded to Koroma’s advice, and today Zambia is well placed on the path of success. For the wonderful accomplishments, the former President is today an international celebrity. US President Joe Biden called on African leaders to emulate Koroma’s governance system if their names were to be including in the honour roll in the future. Koroma’s zeal for peace and democracy in Sierra Leone and Africa has not wavered. Big task still lies ahead of him as he is set to observe elections in six African countries including Sierra Leone. Although Sierra Leone’s past presidents would be mentioned during gatherings sometimes, the name of President Koroma would be called in a special way. His success stories place him in a class of his own, and his name will forever linger in the annals of national history.