Sierra Leone’s opposition candidate, Julius Bio, has been declared the winner of the run-off presidential election.
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Mr Julius Bio on his appointment as the new President of Sierra Leone, following the presidential election run-off on March 31.
President Buhari’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Thursday.
He commended the people of Sierra Leone on the successful conduct of the presidential election run-off, as well as the parliamentary and local council elections, held on March 7.
The President who delightfully noted the pattern of peaceful elections held in West Africa very recently, encouraged all stakeholders in Sierra Leone to work together for the peace, security and development of their country.
He called on those who have grievances on the outcome of the elections to seek constitutional ways of getting them resolved.
He emphasized that nothing should be done to endanger the peace and stability of Sierra Leone and the West African sub-region.
The national leader also commended the immediate past President, Mr Ernest Bai Koroma, for committing to a credible electoral process and his efforts to bring stability and positive changes to the nation during his tenure.
Buhari said he looked forward to working with Julius Bio for the growth, prosperity and stability of their two nations and West Africa in general.
Bio, the opposition candidate and a former military ruler, succeeded Bai Koroma, who had been in office since September, 2007.
Representing the Sierra Leone People’s Party, Bio won 51.81 per cent of votes cast in the March 31 poll, according to results announced by the Sierra Leone National Electoral Commission on Wednesday.
He defeated former foreign affairs minister and ruling All People’s Congress candidate Mr Samura Kamara, who scored 48.19 per cent of the total votes cast.
