The earth-shaking welcome President Koroma received from supporters of the All People’s Congress (APC) and the general public was eloquent proof that he is still very popular and is still the man of the people, though he has left power.
However, some APC supporters monitored by this medium felt different: Kanu John on his Facebook wall wrote: “I am APC but truly how does that matter? He can no longer be president. Why would he want to be in the limelight? In civilized countries ex-presidents become dormant the day power changes hands.”
On the other hand, many APC supporters believed it made a big difference because of the diabolical attempts by other political operatives and supporters to demonize the former president, despite all the good development projects he brought to the country and to make him look like a criminal.
Also, they had spread rumours that the Ex-President has fled the country and would no longer return. By returning in grand style on Sunday, President Koroma and his supporters repelled all these evil statements and speculations and proved that the former president is still a very popular man in the country.
President Koroma, who had been vacationing in neighboring Guinea, was received by a huge crowd of supporters at the Gbalamuya border town in Kambia district and then driven in a long motorcade through Port Loko and Lunsar to his hometown of Makeni where he was officially welcomed by thousands of supporters, family, friends and admirers at the APC Conference Hall.
He then addressed the enthusiastic and momentarily cheering crowd. President Koroma expressed thanks and appreciation for the hero’s welcome he received. He then expressed his shock and dismay at the rumours spread that he was returning home with mercenaries to overthrow the government. The one-time President said he was stunned when he was told about the rumours because it was a blatant lie and that he wanted peace and tranquility to reign in the country.
President Koroma, as if to take a jibe at his detractors, remonstrated why he would be the last man to bring chaos back to Sierra Leone. He loves his people. He served two terms as President of the country. What else does he want? He said he had brought massive socio-economic and political developments to Sierra Leone. How could he then bring chaos and destroy all these developments and his own impressive legacy? The whole hall stood up cheered after President Koroma made this point.
