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Claim: A Facebook post by Salone Political Watch claims that former President Ernest Bai Koroma confirmed that the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) will win the 2028 presidential election and return to power. The post further claims that Koroma made the statement upon his arrival at Lungi International Airport on Sept. 6, 2026.
Verdict: False. A review of available footage from media organisations that covered the arrival found no such statement from Koroma. DUBAWA contacted the APC National Publicity Secretary, Sidi Yayah Tunis, who dismissed the claim.
Full Text
A social media post circulating on Facebook claims that former President Ernest Bai Koroma has predicted victory for the governing Sierra Leone People’s Party in the 2028 presidential election. The same page had the same post here (archived here).
The post has since gathered over 570 likes, 77 comments, and 60 shares. According to the post, Koroma allegedly made the statement at Lungi International Airport on Sept. 6, 2026, shortly after returning to Sierra Leone from Nigeria.
The post further claims Koroma criticized the All People’s Congress, saying the party currently lacks the leadership and political strength to challenge the SLPP in the 2028 election. It also attributes comments to him praising the leadership of SLPP National Chairman, Sir Jimmy Batilo Songa.
Verification
DUBAWA first established that Ernest Bai Koroma returned to Sierra Leone on Sept. 6, 2026, after spending more than two years in Nigeria. Regional and national media, including Nigerian outlets, widely reported the return, and the Economic Community of West African States also issued a statement commending the Sierra Leone Government for his return.
The Sierra Leone Government subsequently confirmed Koroma’s return. According to the Office of the President, Koroma met President Julius Maada Bio at State House on Sept. 7 and thanked Bio for facilitating his return, while reaffirming his commitment to national cohesion and peace.
However, available reports and airport footage show no evidence that Koroma made the statement attributed to him in the viral post.
DUBAWA contacted Sidi Yayah Tunis, National Publicity Secretary of the All People’s Congress, who was present at the airport during Koroma’s arrival. Responding to the claim, Tunis said:
“How can you believe such a write-up? The videos are out there. He never made such a statement.”
DUBAWA also reviewed available video coverage of Koroma’s arrival published by media organisations, including Radio Democracy and Liberty TV Online. The footage reviewed does not show Koroma saying that the SLPP would win the 2028 presidential election, nor does it show him saying that the APC lacks the leadership or political strength to defeat the ruling party.
The official record of Koroma’s activities after his return also does not support the viral claim. At State House on Sept. 7, Koroma’s publicly reported remarks focused on his appreciation to President Bio for facilitating his return and his commitment to national unity, peace, and national development, rather than predicting an SLPP victory in 2028. See also video from the Facebook account of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio.
The claim is presented as a direct quotation or confirmation from the Former President, His Excellency Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, but no recording, transcript, statement from Koroma, or credible news report has been provided to substantiate the alleged remarks.
Conclusion
The claim that former President Ernest Bai Koroma said the SLPP will win the 2028 presidential election is false. While Koroma returned to Sierra Leone through Lungi International Airport on Sept. 6, 2026, DUBAWA found no evidence that he made the political remarks attributed to him.