JUNE 19, 2023
By: Joseph Momoh Conteh
Claim: Former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma withdraws his support from the APC and pledges support for the ECSL Commissioner.
Verdict: False, there is no evidence to support this claim
Full Text
A post circulating on various WhatsApp groups and Facebook claims that the Former President of Sierra Leone Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma has withdrawn his support from his party, and declared support for the ECSL Boss Mohamed Konneh.
“Former President of Sierra Leone Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma raised his glass in support of ECSL Boss Mohamed Konneh.”
The same post was shared on Sierra News blog.
“Breaking News!!
“The Former President Ernest Bai Koroma withdraw his support from the All-People’s Congress. And endorses Mohamed Konneh ECSL Commissioner to continue to conduct the June 24, 2024. EBK said he is not responsible for the predicament of the APC. Election is all about preparedness, all calendars were published by ECSL and all political parties endorsed it and goes with it. If APC are not prepared for the elections, let them quit,” it reads.
The post has two claims:
- That the Former President has withdrawn his support from the APC party.
- That he has endorsed the ECSL commissioner to continue to conduct the June 24, 2023, elections.
screenshot of the post
Methodology
To verify the claim, SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom fact-checkers contracted the All-People’s Congress Party National Publicity Secretary Sidi Yayah Tunish who said that the claim is FALSE.
Koroma’s statement that was released over the weekend also showed that he did not take such a position. He did not denounce his support from APC nor openly endorse the Chief Electoral Commissioner.
Conclusion
Former President Koroma did not withdraw his support for APC, nor endorse ECSL Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mohamed Konneh.
NOTE: This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens to have access to credible and accurate information during the elections.
The SuperNewsRoom is powered by Africell SL.
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