The incumbent President of Sierra Leone, Earnest Bai Koroma, has stated that Dr. Samura Kamara is the best suited candidate to move the country forward, adding that Samara is the future of the country.

He said this while presenting Samara in Nigeria on Saturday evening as the APC Presidential Flagbearer of the country.

Speaking at the event held at Borno Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Koroma said: “Samara is a technocrat of many decades, having served Sierra Leone in various prestigious and critical positions such as Financial Secretary; Minister of Finance; Governor of the Central Bank and Foreign Minister.

“Samara is a man bringing with him integrity, stability, vision and would ensure reconciliation, alignment and growth to position Sierra Leone as an important and relevant Public and Private Partner with Nigeria.”

During the brief interaction with the journalists, Koroma further said: “As a party, we have decided to engage Samara because he has been able to acquire enough experience, not only at the governance level but also in the Private sector. We also need him to continue with the Sieera Leone-Nigeria engagements.”

According to Koroma, “Nigeria is a very important component of Sierra Leone. Not only my administration witnessed the commendable ties but also the ones before me. I really say thank you to Nigeria for the support.

“I need to say this because I have worked with Nigeria president Buhari and I feel his impact more. At the bilateral level, it is unprecedented. Beyond the Presidency relationship, there has been private sector relationship and several other engagements. We have insurance companies, including Dangote group and many others. The intervention from Nigeria is super.

“We have obviously not achieved all but there are still challenges we are addressing. The bigger picture is, we now have a lot of Nigerians in support of businesses in our country.”

Koroma also hailed Nigerian government for her support during the time of crises in the country, saying: “Nigeria supported us when we had crises and saved the souls of Sierra Leone.” He added: “We are transforming the economy and look forward to Nigeria participation more. People to people relationship has also continued to grow.”

Speaking on the arrangement on transition, Koroma said: “We need to create a level playing field and looking forward to have a smooth and peaceful transition. We are on course in terms of preparatory work because we have just dissolved parliament.”

Also speaking, Nigerian lawmaker Philip Aduda, Senator representing the Federal capital Territory (FCT) also commended the relationship between the two countries, saying: “For me to come shows Nigeria has done very well in terms of development.”

“This is good for our international relationship as we will take it up from there, and that is why I am here to see things for myself,” he added.

Senator Aduda wished Dr Samara well as the potential incoming president of his country.