Just recently... President Goodluck Johnson of Nigeria visited Sierra Leone... and was given the highest government award/recognition. As far as I know he didn't make any statements about the elections... but his timing was questioned. Two weeks before a national election?

Now, the former President of Nigeria, Obasanjo, is here... openly campaigning for the current President of Sierra Leone. Oh politics...

Previously, US Ambassador Michael Owen was on the radio explaining the US election process... and made a comment that with the Sierra Leone electoral process there is a possibility of a runoff. He also said there was a possibility that one of the two main parties could win with a straight 55% majority. Owen was vilified in the local media... misquoted and abused... shamefully. He was accused of meddling in local politics... and interfering with the election campaign. He was also accused of being "mentally imbalanced" by one particular newspaper (highly APC oriented newspaper, I might add).

The speculations and theories are so interesting... from big oil company conspiracy theories to friendly neighbour speculations... We'll never know the real truth or motivation behind these visits... but, in my opinion, they are questionable... Someone should be asking questions... Local media? International observers? Carter Center? International media? Opposition parties?


This is a post I put on Facebook... and some of the reaction. You can see... Everyone has to be sooo careful about what they say... and, I have learned... I need to be careful...

What did I just read???? Former Nigerian President Obasanjo is now endorsing Koroma's re-election bid? Apparently the former President is campaigning with the APC in Kabala. Where's the outcry? Where's the condemnation of "foreigners interfering with Sierra Leone politics"? Why-oh-why... especially after such a vilification and condemnation of US Ambassador Owen... Is it okay that a Nigerian influence or interfere in the Sierra Leone election? I hope someone takes this up in the local media. S/

Alphonze Sesay, Mustapha Kamara, Aimee Sheriff and 2 others like this.

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  Aimee Sheriff I am fuming over this Stephen. there is a picture circulating the web with OBJ sharing platform with EBK and accompany with the same endrsement lines.

  
  
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  Aimee Sheriff It is political intimidation. Looking at the history of ECOMOG with Nierians making predominantly the majority, their inaction or action in salone then, one can clearly see the intimidaion undertone to this tactics. This should be condemned and raised to international attention. WHAT??????????????

  
  
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  Mustapha Kamara Sheer hypocrisy, beggared belief .

  
  
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  Mustapha Kamara Am sure slyvia Olayinka Blyden will be singing and hailin all praises on her reputable front ... Smiles

  
  
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  Salonepeoples PartyLegend We SLPP will not be intimidated by anyone not even Obasanjo. I just got news from my source that he was given a sum of $5million to come and do so, but EBK said he will go on a vacation when Maada was choosen but i want to know why he is so eager for ppl to come and endorse him.

  
  
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  MaadaBio KadieSesay Exactly my bro n d same Sylvia that opened her mouth against the AMbassador is not even ashamed to post such trash......but history is repeating itself as the same man endorsed SOLO B in 2007 n he lost d results

  
  
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  Alphonze Sesay My sentiments exactly Stephen Douglas. Thanks for saying it loud.

  
  

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  Sheka Tarawalie And you are? A local? Ambassador Owen is a serving diplomat, not a mere foreigner; while Obasanjo is a FORMER President! The comparison does not hold. And you need not incite the local press - they can think for themselves.

   

  Jiwoh Mattia The US Ambassador was saying a that both candidates have strong support and that our constitution leaves open the possibility of a run off. That is not a prediction

   

  Foday Mela Bangura I am really concerned about the expanding influence of our so called big brothers in Sierra Leone and I am not comfortable with that at all. We all need to keep our eyes opened. In what capacity is he coming to Sierra Leone two weeks to election?

  
  
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  Cocorioko Sierra Leone By the way, Mr. Douglas, who are you and what business do you have being so concerned with our national affairs ? We Sierra Leoneans are capable of solving our own problems. We do not interfere in the political affairs of Canada . Why are you so concerned about our national affairs ? Are you one of the Western media miscreants sending biased and inaccurate reports abroad about our country ?

  
  
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  Abu Kokofele This is the shape of democracy APC in perpetrating in our country. He has wooed Guinean influence, Gambia and now Nigeria. Perhaps our diamonds have changed hands too. I am presently busy with official matters, I can't concentrate well on this burning ...See More

   

  James Med They will not Mr Douglas Sierra Leone is going through a very difficult period and some of us can't just understand the level of dishonesty manifested by the very institutions that are suposed to protect and defend our rights. How Can Obasanjo attend a polítical rally of an incumbent at a time when every sierra Leonean is yearning for a free and fair elections? Just few weeks ago medià houses and some rulling party officials were busy throwing insults at t'he US ambassador for just sharing an opinion on the outcome of the First pool and not even the president condenm the verbal outrage.There is every reason to ask the international community to withdrawl all observes with Nigerian nationality with immediate effect otherwise if the results by any chance favors the rulling party it will be vehemently rejected.