A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has called on the newly elected President of Sierra Leone, Julius Bio, to sustain the country’s relationship with Nigeria, which was strengthened during the time of the immediate past President, Ernest Bai Koroma.
This call was contained in a congratulatory letter he sent to Bio on Thursday, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent by Obasanjo’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Friday in Abeokuta.
Bio won the presidential run-off on Wednesday.
While he congratulated him, he noted that the people of Sierra Leone have spoken.
The letter read in part, “No doubt, the good people of Sierra Leone have spoken and have decided to repose their trust and confidence in your leadership.
“By this clear victory, Sierra Leoneans have not only given you a mandate to lead with the sound policies that will bring much socio-economic progress to the country but also to reassure you of their faith in your leadership, given your experience and background in government.
“This has undoubtedly prepared you for the great responsibility as the leader of Sierra Leone.
“I, therefore, wish you God’s guidance as you face, with vision and vigour, the challenges of lifting the nation up to greater heights.
“As Your Excellency is aware, Nigeria and Sierra Leone have enjoyed excellent relations, which have been further strengthened under the leadership of your predecessor, President Ernest Bai Koroma.
“I hope that the profound traditional bonds of friendship subsisting between Nigeria and Sierra Leone will grow from strength to strength during your administration and under your leadership.”
