In a press statement published recently by the leadership of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), reaffirmed their unwavering support to their former national chairman and leader, erstwhile President Ernest Bai Koroma especially this trying period of his trial for his alleged involvement in the recent putsch attempt.

“Let no one be afraid, the APC is confident about former President Koroma’s innocence.”

They strongly urged the SLPP government to move away from what they described as “dangerous and unproductive path” and take concrete strides to promote peace, rather than hate that will further politically divide this tiny country.

According to the release, the APC is confident of former President Koroma’s innocence, and insists that they as a party will stand with him.

The party said that it’s utterly disappointed with, and livid about the distasteful persecution of their former Chairman and Leader, His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma.

The release further states that the former president diligently and inspiringly served this nation as a two-term democratically elected President.

It statement recalled that at the end of his presidency, he gracefully relinquished power in a demonstrable respect for Sierra Leone’s constitutional term limit, and conducted a peaceful, free and fair elections which ushered in the then opposition candidate as president.

The party opined that since he left power in 2018, the former president has dedicated his time and energy in promoting peace, democratic good governance and smooth transitions across Africa.

The APC revealed that it is therefore exceedingly hurtful and totally unacceptable for a noble statesman of such high repute and distinguished democratic credentials, to be tarnished with political vendetta and accusations of an involvement in a coup d’état.

The party stated that those trumped-up treason and other charges represent a dangerous precedent and a credible threat to the peace and stability of Sierra Leone.

The APC furthered that the party has shown incredible restraint in respect of what is clearly a sustained political witch-hunt, intimidation, harassment and persecution, as promised by the president during his campaign.

The released stated also that, while “we continue to condemn the events of 26th November, 2023, and all forms of unconstitutional change of government and also strongly abhor the deliberate democratic backsliding and imposition of the increasing tendencies of a one-party political hegemony in Sierra Leone.

It further claimed that several of their supporters and members at constituency, district, regional and national levels have been arrested and detained for weeks and months without charge, noting that such has been the pattern since 2018. “We have reached a point where the APC would have to face its circumstances with all its strength and wherewithal,” the released asserted.

The party disclosed that they stand firm with their former chairman and leader, as well as their National Organising Secretary, Comrade Bai Mahmoud Bangura, adding that all they have in their beloved country and it is their responsibility to work together to unify it.

“In the meantime, the APC will meet to consider our next action and we shall communicate them to the public,” the statement concludes.