By Hasbin Shaw in Freetown, Sierra Leone
It is settled! Brigadier (Rtd.) Julius Maada Bio is the next President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. He was declared winner in the run-off of the presidential elections. President-elect Bio has be sworn and he has taken the oath of office.
The National Returning Officer of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Mr. Mohamed N’fa Alie Conteh declared the Sierra Leoen People’s Party (SLPP) flag bearer duly elected president of the Republic of Sierra Leone following a hotly contested presidential run-off.
Presidnet-elect Bio secured 1,319,406 of the valid votes representing 51.81% in the just concluded rescheduled March 31, 2018 presidential elections, while his opponent Dr. Samura Kamara of the outgoing ruling All People’s Congress (APC) collected 1,227,171 valid votes, representing 48.19%.
The oath of office as per the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone was administered by Chief Justice, Abdulai Charm in front of Judges, Diplomats, dignitaries and members of the Sierra Leone People’s Party at the Radission Blu, MammY Yoko Hotel Aberdeen, west end of Freetown. The newly elected Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh also took the oath of office.
Reading a brief statement, the newly Preident Julius Maada Bio said, “Today is a new dawn, the dawn of a new era. The people of this great nation have voted for change in the new direction…” He quoted the theme of his party’s manifesto, and added, “We are honored and privileged to serve the people of Sierra Leone…”
President Bio thanked outgoing President Earnest Bai Koroma and his government and every Sierra Leonean, the National Electoral Commission (NEC), and the international community for their evenhanded support in helping Sierra Leone through a peaceful, credible and fair election.
“From today, I am president of, and for all Sierra Leoneans. Weather you voted for me or not, rest assure that I will be president for all Sierra Leoneans, irrespective of the political party that you belong to, or the part of the country that you come from,” President Bio assured
According to him, there is only one country Sierra Leone and “we are all one people,” adding, “My government will promote national unity, national cohesion and discipline leadership to this nation, and inclusive development where no one is left out.”
He did not forget to thank his wife, First Lady Fatima Bio, his family, and the entire membership of the SLPP for the historic day.
