By Alusine A. Sesay
The gall is breathtaking. Certain individuals in the APC—including some with aspirations to be flagbearers—have suddenly emerged in public, straining to claim credit for the release of Alpha Sheriff (APC Sheriff) and thirty-seven others.
These are the very same people who, not so long ago, did their utmost to sabotage and ridicule the Tripartite process initiated by Dr. Samura Kamara.
Back then, they called it pointless. Today, they want to bask in its success.
But let’s be clear: it was this very process—through Resolution 4 of the Agreement on National Unity—that secured the release in question.
The hypocrisy is staggering.
If integrity still runs through your veins, you ought to bury your heads in the sand in shame.
Here’s the thing: Alpha Sheriff was arrested in Bo City (seen in this video with others) while acting as a security guard for one of you.
Instead of defending him, you stood by silently as he was betrayed—abandoned by all except his legal representative.
Such conduct is not merely dishonourable; it is despicable.
Many of us are well aware that Sheriff, along with numerous others perceived as opposition-leaning—particularly those with ties to the APC—were systematically targeted and economically stifled.
His security firm was forcibly shut down on the pretext of lacking a licence.
Undeterred, he turned to farming in his village—only to face further obstruction.
Sheriff is not alone. Another Sierra Leonean from the diaspora successfully built a thriving agricultural export business, sending premium produce to the European Union—only to have it crushed under political pressure.
Yet another diasporan, running a flourishing transport service, met the same fate.
The list extends across sectors—real estate, hospitality, entertainment, education, medical services—where businesses have been singled out, frustrated, and ultimately destroyed, all because their owners dared to align with the “wrong” political colours.
Is this truly the kind of nation we aspire to be?
I don’t think so.
No citizen should face harassment for exercising their democratic right to support the SLPP, APC, NGC—or indeed any political entity.
And let it be said plainly: No one—neither you, nor Maada Bio—has any personal claim to credit for these releases.
After all, this was a negotiated outcome, agreed upon, and binding.
Therefore, if credit must be assigned, it belongs to Samura Kamara.
Yet, in typical fashion, Samura has not paraded this achievement before the public—for such ostentation is not in his character.
So why the unnecessary noise?
Too many among you are political opportunists—driven by greed, and devoid of genuine concern for the people you claim to serve.
You should be deeply, and unreservedly, ashamed.
