Why I Did Not Visit Former President Koroma in Nigeria – Alpha Kanu

Presidential Spokesman Alpha Kanu has explained why he did not travel to Nigeria to visit former President Ernest Bai Koroma, describing the former leader as his friend and brother.

Speaking on Radio Democracy 98.1, Kanu said he was unable to make the trip due to financial constraints. “I didn’t get an aeroplane like the first time I got an aeroplane and I did the jump,” he said, referring to an earlier occasion when he was able to travel. “Now for going to Nigeria and over $1,000 and all that.”

The comments come shortly after Koroma’s historic return to Sierra Leone for the 69th ECOWAS Summit held in Freetown on July 19. It was the former president’s first visit since January 19, 2024, when he relocated to Nigeria following ECOWAS-mediated diplomatic engagements after treason charges were brought against him in connection with the November 2023 attempted coup.

The charges against Koroma were later discontinued by the Attorney General on constitutional and health grounds, allowing him to return freely. He departed Sierra Leone for Abuja following the summit aboard a Nigerian presidential fleet aircraft.

Kanu and Koroma share a long political history. Kanu served in various cabinet positions during Koroma’s 11-year presidency, including Minister of Presidential and Public Affairs, Minister of Mines and Natural Resources, and Minister of Information and Communication. He was widely regarded as one of Koroma’s closest and most trusted political advisors.

Their relationship, however, became strained after the APC lost the 2018 presidential election. Kanu later joined the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) administration under President Julius Maada Bio, serving as Resident Minister for the North-West Region before his current appointment as Presidential Spokesman. He formally resigned from the APC in April 2023 after more than 60 years of association with the party.

Despite their political divergence, Kanu has consistently maintained that his personal regard for Koroma remains intact. “Former President Koroma is my friend, he’s my brother,” Kanu said. “He’s there outside.” He added that when Koroma returned to Sierra Leone, he got the chance to see him in person .