April 4, 2018 By Hassan Gbassay Koroma
Barely few hours after new president, Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio took the oath of office, political leaders in the country have been sending congratulatory messages and best wishes.
Chairman and Leader of Alliance Democratic Party (ADP), Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, has in his congratulatory message called on every Sierra Leonean, regardless of party or political belonging, to accept the outcome of the presidential run-off election.
“The Sierra Leonean people have spoken and elected President Julius Maada Bio to be the next President of Sierra Leone. Every Sierra Leonean, regardless of party or political faith, must accept this decision, because we know that power in our democracy flows from the ballot box. That is the enduring greatness of a government of, for and by the people,” he said.
Mr. Mansaray, who was the presidential candidate of his party in the March 7 presidential election, said the nation should now focus on what unites Sierra Leoneans – shared values, common challenges, and unshakable faith in the future.
He noted that President Bio’s party, the Sierra Leone Peoples Party has promised to deliver and that it would be the responsibility of the new administration and the next Parliament to ensure that the promise is fulfilled.
He added that such would require a dedication to fiscal discipline and to social progress.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to President Julius Maada Bio on his victory. My best wishes for his success as he prepares to take up the responsibilities and challenges of high office,” he said.
Also, presidential candidate of the National Grand Coalition (NGC), Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, has congratulated the new president and rged that the country’s interest should be the common agenda.
In addition, presidential candidate of the National Unity and Reconciliation Party (NURP), Dr. Jonathan Sandy congratulated President Maada Bio and Vice President Dr. Mohamed J. Jalloh for their victory in the run-off presidential election.
He said they in the NURP considered the victory as a great stride, as majority of the citizenry has entrusted the nations democratic and economic transformation process for the next five years into their political leadership and oversight.
Dr. Sandy said they were also fully aware that as the new president, there would be many challenges awaiting him and his government, among which are the politics of divisiveness, disunity, nepotism, hate and intolerance across different tribes and regions in the nation.
He noted that without addressing those structural and fundamental challenges, they in the NURP believe transformation would be slow, adding that his party was established on the basic principle of democratic governance anchored on their call for national unity, reconciliation and social cohesion.
“In this regard, our entire membership at home and abroad, will want to encourage you to imbibe these principles as the first step towards the implementation of your vision for Sierra Leone: “the New Direction,” he said.