- Maada Bio pledges
October 27, 2017 By Ibrahim Tarawallie
Maada Bio has promised to maintain the peace
Presidential candidate for the main opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has pledged not to do anything that could jeopardise the hard-earned peace in the country as the former war-torn nation prepares for crucial elections in March next year.
Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio made the pledge yesterday during an interview on Star Television’s ‘Good Morning Show’.
The ex-junta boss has been criticised in the past for the utterances and behaviour of some of his supporters, with some accusing him of not exerting control over them.
According to Brigadier Bio, the issue of maintaining law and order is very close to his heart, adding that he would not do anything to the contrary.
“I will not do anything that will jeopardise the peace and security of this country. I value peace so much. When I was a soldier then, I never did anything violent, not now when I am a civilian,” he said.
He alleged that violence is most times being perpetrated by the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) members and supporters.
With regards allegation that he had invested in Ghana instead of Sierra Leone, the SLPP presidential candidate challenged journalists and members of public to produce documents that will show that he lived and invest in the West African nation.
“I never lived or invested in Ghana. When I left Sierra Leone I spent time in France to study French and went to the United States to do my first and second degrees,” he said.
The retired Brigadier also spoke about what he intends to do if he wins the presidential election, citing education, which he said would be free from primary to secondary level, as well as rapid improvement in agriculture.
He promised to improve the country’s ailing economy, which he claimed has been battered by the present administration, by raising adequate revenue to keep the government going and provide efficient monitoring of resources.
On whether he would accept the outcome of the March 7, 2018 presidential election, Rtd. Brigadier Bio said: “I won’t accept any result, but one from a credible election that is transparent, free and fair. For the sake of peace and security and the people, I gave up not to challenge beyond the Supreme Court in 2012.”