Except June 24, 2023 polls, Sierra Leone has never seen an election in which the winner appeals to the loser to forgive him or go to court. Such situation is also difficult to see anywhere in the world. Losers in any election always seek redress in the court when they feel aggrieved about any irregularity.
The winner also does not need to invite the the loser, that is, the opposition to participate in governance, but Sierra Leone’s current situation has proved to be an exception. Since Bio was declared winner of the June elections, he has had no moment’s rest but appealing to Dr Samura Kamara and his team of parliamentarians to work with the current government, a move kicked against by APC as they believed that the election was rigged.
Several key political stakeholders have been used as emissaries by President Julius Maada Bio to prevail on Dr Samura Kamara to accept the elections as they are. In a widely shared video, former Resident Minister and Presidential Spokesman, Alpha Kanu appealed to Dr Samura Kamara to work with President Bio so that the country could not be taken hostage. The former Resident Minister, in his statement, said although Samura Kamara wanted to serve his people, Bio wanted to serve them more than him.
The appeal which, many say, is “myopic” presents Kanu as one who is completely out of touch with the political reality. The Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991 provides the procedures through which one becomes a President.
First and foremost, one must belong to a political , goes through internal or flag-bearer election before nomination as presidential candidate by ECSL (National Electoral Commission) a body mandated by law to conduct and supervise all public elections throughout Sierra Leone. The last step is to genuinely win an election conducted by ECSL before one is crowned as President.
Any other means to seize power in a democratic state is unacceptable. Despite pleas and appeals from the former minister, the APC presidential candidate stood his ground. Arch Bishop, Tamba Charles also joined in the persistent call on APC to work with President Bio in the name of peace and national cohesion.
But, the request was also turned down.
Recently, members of the Inter-Religious Council were with Dr Samura Kamara for the same purpose. They urged him to accept the elections for the country to move on. Like other requests, Kamara also turned down the appeal.
At the moment, there are still other moves by local organisations to prevail on Kamara to put behind recent history. No sign that the APC presidential candidate will accept the result exists.
Quite recently, APC members were being urged to take their parliamentary seats or lose them to other candidates. The Speaker of Parliament, Dr Abass Bundu threatened that APC law makers might soon lose their seats citing rule 77 of the Parliamentary Standing others.
APC has also kicked against going to court as they do not hope to get any justice there. SLPP members are worried and jittery as the ugly situation lingers, and almost every Sierra Leonean is looking towards fresh election to held again.