Within two hours of being declared the winner by the Chief Electoral Commissioner, incumbent president Ernest baiKoroma drove to State House where according to the 1991 constitution, Chief Justice UmuHawaTejanJalloh administered the oath of office to begin his second term as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Dressed in a black European suit with a red tie and spotting a matching red breast pocket handkerchief, President Koroma took the bible and read out the oath of office.
Later he administered the oath to his Vice President, Chief Samsumana, and went on to give a short 2 page acceptance speech.
He thanked God and praised Sierra Leoneans for the “maturity, patience and tolerance” displayed during the elections.
“This is my new contract with you,” he said, stating that he “will focus on creating jobs for the youths” and “training” to seize the “immense employment opportunities” which are being created in the “construction, mining, agriculture and other sectors.”
He promised to continue with the “infrastructural development programmes … to attract investment … fight corruption” and “protect and promote the rights of every” Sierra Leonean.
In an apparent attempt to bridge the ethnic and regional divide which has become so apparent in Sierra Leonean politics, President Koroma called on all “APC supporters” to “embrace every SLPP supporter and supporters of other political parties”
He furthered by “inviting the leadership of the SLPP and other political parties to join the leadership of the APC in moving the country forward.”
He continued with this theme promising that he “will make sure that the fruits of the Agenda for Prosperity are equally distributed in every district and region of the country.”
The president then went on to caution those celebrating his victory saying “let us celebrate within the law … with grace, tolerance and goodwill.”
He assured all “that with tenacity of purpose, and with great courage and determination we will sustain our peace, democracy and development.”
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