Ernest Bai Koroma, the former President of Sierra Leone, has addressed the reasons for his extended stay in Nigeria, saying that his presence isn’t caused by a change of government or any allegations levied at him.

On an audio call, Ernest Koroma said that in December 2023, Senegal’s former President Macky Sall and Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo paid him a visit in Sierra Leone due to tensions between him and President Julius Maada Bio’s government.

According to Ernest Koroma, during their conversation, the two leaders recommended him to leave the nation briefly to allow political tensions to calm.

“At first, I was hesitant,” Koroma admitted. “I told them I wasn’t going anywhere because I hadn’t done anything wrong and leaving may be interpreted as fleeing for something. But President Akufo-Addo pushed me to rethink, bringing out the dangers of staying in such an unstable situation”

Koroma added that the two leaders also expressed concerns about possible legal implications if he stayed. They warned him that he may have difficulty defending himself if he was accused in court. After considerable thought, he consented to leave the nation for a time, agreeing to return once the situation had settled.

He further said that when the appropriate moment comes, he will notify the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of his decision to return to Sierra Leone.

The former President emphasized that his stay in Nigeria was a deliberate decision made in collaboration with regional authorities to guarantee stability and security.