I hate to do this. But I have to say this. It’s hard to bring a man down. It’s even harder to bring a good man down. Former president Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma is a good man. That explains why even though people have spared on effort to bring him down, he still remains unfazed and unhurt.
Like every man, EBK is not free from frailties. Like every good man, he has contributed and continues to contribute to preserving peace, promoting democracy and fostering development not just in Sierra Leone, but also on the African continent. As president, he introduced and implemented policies that benefitted ALL. As a friend, he directly helped people from diverse backgrounds, including those needlessly throwing muds at him nowadays. As a family man he cares for the welfare of close and extended family members.
I therefore struggle to understand why these attacks are directed at him. Even his silence offends people. Inconceivable right?! It’s hard to understand and believe! You may not like him as a person. You may not approve of his policies. It certainly doesn’t mean you shouldn’t respect that the fact that he once held the highest office in Sierra Leone and served his people, to the best of ability (I should add).
I have said this privately and will now say it PUBLICLY. The ill-treatment and disrespect EBK has received from this government may undermine our country’s democratic gains, if caution is not exercised. Add this to the fact that he’s being consistently denied most (if not all) of his retirement entitlements. Like President Koroma, President Bio and other countrymen will become former presidents. Aside the fact that these precedents may make future presidents fearful of handing over power peacefully, some other former president may react differently if he/she receives similar or worse treatments. I hope common sense prevails! I pray people get this!!
Fmr Pres Koroma Holds Discussion With EU Ambassador, Urges ECSL To Speedily Address Recurring Voter Registration Challenges
The excuse given by perpetrators and supporters of these actions that as former president EBK should not be involved in our national politics is quite lame. First, he is a citizen and has a constitutional right to participate in politics. Second, he is still a member of a political party. His membership to the APC did not cease to exist after his presidency. Lastly, he was Chairman and Leader of the APC. It follows that the decision to participate actively or passively in our local politics is his sole prerogative. No one should or can take that away from him. That he was directly attacked by President Bio even though he is passive in our current elections makes a mockery of this excuse.
Let EBK be! Even a devil deserves his due! Anyway this good news is this — these actions make EBK endearing to many Sierra Leoneans, including those who may not necessarily agree with his policies
