Thanks to the determination of the international community through the middlemen at the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS and the United Nations Offices in West Africa and the Sahel UNOWAS, the transfer of power is irreversible. (Photo: Bio waving, it may be his last).

As a consequence of the process, the beleaguered Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio is still expected in Nigeria, the ECOWAS headquarters, where he is slated to meet with the ECOWAS Chairman Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is also the President of Nigeria.

Reports say the impromptu invitation by ECOWAS Chairman Tinubu to the unelected and illegal President Bio has been on the table since last week. But circumstances beyond control have made it impossible for Bio to travel to Abuja as earlier scheduled. (Photo: President Tinubu and ECOWAS President Omar Alieu Touray greet).

This week, however, there are competent sources that say the meeting may likely take place between the ECOWAS Commission and Bio. Sources close to Bio have not confirmed his travel plans to Nigeria, though he spent his weekend in Tihun, Bonthe, his place of birth.

Reliable sources have, however, confirmed that Maada Bio is expected to travel to Nigeria today per last week’s plans. Still, in Bonthe, it is not clear how Bio will travel to Nigeria. Will he come to Freetown to jet off, or will he use his speed boat from Bonthe?

If he uses his private speed boat, Maada Bio will leave Bonthe District today to make his way to Nigeria rather than come back to the capital Freetown to use a special aeroplane to shuttle to Abuja. (Photo: President-Elect Dr Samura Kamara).

Whatever the situation, Bio had to go to Nigeria to complete the final arrangement for the peaceful transfer of power to the elected president, Dr Samura Kamara. Since the June 24, 2023, elections which Bio stole, Sierra Leone has stagnated politically and economically.

Sierra Leone electorates, who voted overwhelmingly for the APC leader Dr Samura Kamara in 2023, are holding their breath as news emerged that the international community is ready to restore democracy in the country very soon.

In a related development, the African Elders recently held a meeting in Abuja where they discussed the Sierra Leone situation and reports say it was very fruitful in terms of the transition. Also, a high delegation is expected in Freetown this week in the same regard.