Abuja, Nigeria – February 10, 2025 ‘ In a ceremony held today in Abuja, All People’s Congress (APC) Chairman Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray presented former President Ernest Bai Koroma with his digital identification and party registration certificate.
The event was a gesture of respect and recognition for Koroma’s significant contributions to both the party and Sierra Leone.
Former President Koroma, who previously served as the APC’s Chairman and Leader, expressed his gratitude to the party’s leadership for their thoughtfulness and for honoring him in this manner.
During the presentation, Chairman Mansaray remarked, “We also recognize you as someone who has worked for Sierra Leone more than every other President. You also took the APC party from nowhere to a formidable entity… we will always hold you in high esteem and we will not forget your legacies in a hurry.”
This acknowledgment underscores the APC’s appreciation for Koroma’s remarkable stewardship and enduring legacy within the party and the nation.
On Monday, a high-ranking delegation from APC safely arrived in Abuja, Nigeria, to visit former President Ernest Bai Koroma, who is currently undergoing medical treatment in the country. The delegation includes National Chairman Hon. Minkailu Mansaray, Deputy National Chairman, National Secretary General, and National Publicity Secretary.
Their visit aims to connect with the former leader and assess his well-being. During their absence, National Organising Secretary Bai Mahmoud Bangura will oversee the party’s affairs, ensuring continuous communication with the National Chairman.
In January 2024, Sierra Leone’s High Court granted former President Koroma permission to travel abroad for medical treatment, following charges of treason related to a failed coup attempt in November 2023. The court allowed him to seek medical care in Nigeria for a maximum of three months, with a requirement to return for a court appearance scheduled for March 6, 2024.
Koroma, who led Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018, was charged with four offenses, including treason, in connection with the November 2023 events. During the incident, armed attackers stormed military facilities and prisons, resulting in the deaths of over 20 people and the escape of numerous prisoners. The government labeled the attacks as a coup attempt, leading to the arrest of several individuals, including members of Koroma’s security detail.
The former president’s departure to Nigeria has been the subject of speculation, with some suggesting that a deal facilitated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Sierra Leonean government allowed his relocation to ease domestic tensions. However, official sources have not confirmed such an arrangement.
As the APC delegation meets with Koroma in Nigeria, the party continues to manage its affairs back home, with Acting National Organising Secretary Bai Mahmoud Bangura ensuring ongoing communication and leadership in the National Chairman’s absence.
