The Incumbent Julius Maada Bio has taken the Oath of Office on Tuesday while declared winner of Saturday’s election, reclaiming the Presidency for second term but the opposition disputed the count.
This was disclosed on his social media platform, as the Oath of Office was administered by the Honorable Chief Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards in the country.
It was reported that official figures gave Mr Bio 56% of the vote. His main rival, Samura Kamara, trailed far behind with 41%, and a candidate needs more than 55% for outright victory and avoid a second round.
Saturday’s vote took place amid tension but President Bio had called on Sierra Leoneans to “keep the peace”. The 59-year-old former soldier, was sworn in for his second and final five-year term.
The President on tweets said his oath of office came with a renewed zeal to pursue an accelerated national development agenda to improve the quality of life for the people of Sierra Leone.
According to him, “The focus of my next administration shall be Food Security, consolidating gains in Human Capital Development, creating jobs for our youth, revamping the Public Service and developing technology and infrastructure”.
He sincerely thanked every Sierra Leonean for the many sacrifices and for supporting his running mate and Vice President, Dr VP Jalloh and himself throughout the campaign period. “Our victory is your victory.
“This is a collective victory for every citizen and we must come together now that elections are over for the pursuit of a common goal, which is the development of our dear country”, Bio added.
The President admonished all Sierra Leoneans to be peaceful and law- abiding. In particular, I call on my supporters to be exemplary in being peaceful and magnanimous in victory.
“We must extend a hand of fellowship to our brothers and sisters on the other side of the divide, for we all seek one thing, which is the peace, progress and prosperity of Sierra Leone”, Bio acknowledged.
The Retired Army Brigadier, Bio took part in a military coup during the country’s civil war in 1992, only to overthrow the military junta itself in 1996 and pave the way for free elections that year.