“No Third Term Agenda for President Ernest Bai Koroma”

Sierra Leone’s deputy Information and Communications Minister and Co- Government Spokesman Hon. Theo Nicol has described President Ernest Bai Koroma as a highly principled Sierra Leonean with very strong democratic values- which have restrained him from abrogating any sections of the Sierra Leone Constitution to contest the presidency for a third term.

Speaking to a cross section of Sierra Leoneans including executive members of the All People’s Congress (APC) Washington DC Metro chapter at Lanham in Maryland, Hon. Theo Nicol referred to Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution and said, “it has no provision for a third term President.

According to him, “the 1991 constitution stipulates that “no person shall hold office as President for more than two terms of five years each, whether or not the term are consecutive.” Said Hon. Nicol. Adding, “President Ernest Bai Koroma is committed to that part of the constitution.”

Minister Nicol ruled out conspiracy theory and said, “as a matter of fact, “President Ernest Bai Koroma has repeatedly said, he will go to his village and continue to work as Chairman and leader of the APC after his second and last term in office – by 2018, “It is not a secret about it: he has said it to his Ministers and in public as well that there is no third term Agenda.”

“The Hon Minister made reference to the recently concluded APC Party convention wherein President Ernest Bai Koroma went unopposed and said there is no need for any hype regarding the extension of the tenure of office of the President.” Adding, “It’s a mere assumption by some people”

Though Hon. Theo Nicol did not accuse any individual, group of persons or institutions for peddling such rumor, he however said the talk about the extension of office of the Presidency started by rumor mongers, when President Ernest Bai Koroma announced that the 1991 Constitution will be a subject of amendment by the people through a referendum.

“The 1991 constitution was drafted during a one Party system of Government during the just concluded decade old civil war.

“Consequently, it not only has some grey areas; but also lacks some key democratic ideals that have to do with modern day democracy. Which is why the amendment.

“Already, the constitution committee has already been set up and it comprised of eighty (80) people from different works of life including registered political parties, civil society. “It has a two years mandate and it is headed by a highly – respected Sierra Leonean-former High Court Judge and former Speaker of the House of Parliament, Hon. Justice Edmond Cowan. “The cost to review the 1991 Constitution is Four Million, Six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($4.6 M). “The review Committee is funded by the Sierra Leone Government and its international partners. Already the government of President Ernest Bai Koroma has contributed twenty six percent of the total cost ($1.1M).

The Hon. Minister therefore called on members of the diaspora to contribute to the constitution by making their voices heard. “As I speak to you, the debate is ongoing in Sierra Leone.

Responding to questions, the Hon. Minister abhorred sinister activities by anti – democrats and called for clear-headedness in so far commitment to Sierra Leone is concern.

Reacting, the President of the APC Washington DC Metro Chapter Mr. Ibrahim Kamara heaped praises on President Ernest Bai Koroma for appointing an officer in the person of Hon. Theo Nicol as co-Spokesman for the government. He praised the Minister’s posture, eloquence and frankness and further described the Hon. Minister’s visit to the office of APC in Maryland as an additional blessing and an added mark of importance. “We are now fully abreast with this issue of Constitution review.

He also thanked information attaché Pasco Gerald Temple for facilitating the meetings.

Also in attendance were a Member of Parliament Hon.Tamba Ebba of Tankoro in Kono district, the APC Washington DC Metro Chapter Mr. Ibrahim Kamara, Former APC Northern Chapter Chairman Mr. Osman Kamara, former Member of Parliament Hon. Dauda Tombo Bangura, APC North America women’s leader, Treasurer and a host of others including an aspirant of the APC North America Chair.

Deputy Info & Com. Min Hon. Theo Nicol

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