A BROKEN PROMISE: A HYPOTHESIS IN A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN EBK & BIO_ BY BISHOP PETERSON

Forget your AI or Chatgpt. When you truly have mastered the chronicles of English language, writing to appreciate and celebrate context can be as easy as eating 'parp.'

Disclaimers' Alert!

I'm Sierra Leonean; In case you'd like to question my analysis, it's okay. Albeit, the term hypothesis, if logics can serve you well, you'd learn that having a claim does not make it a valid one for discussion until proven evidence for a conclusion. 

Sierra Leone has undergone a multitude of distrustful promises. We've gone through Ebola, Mudslides, COVID-19, killing of innocent people; the break of Pa Demba Prison; Increase in Fuel Prices; The outbreak of the novelty of pandemic called Kush, among other things. Yet, everyone seems to blame one party or the other, forgetting the spirit of patriotism, nationalism, and citizenry, etc. On that note, we'd see how things have turned out good or bad for Sierra Leone. 

As you're home watching TVs or pressing your phone on this Saturday, this enthralling article is written out of the desire to see few areas where our leadership seems to have crossed boundaries, leaving the citizens on the bank of a collapsed phase. As such, any other confrontational discourse may not be accepted by the writer. 

When I attempt to compare the leadership of Ernest Bai Koroma and Julius Maada Bio, I do so not just as a neutral observer, but as someone deeply concerned about the trajectory of Sierra Leone. My reflection is shaped by evidence, public perception, and the undeniable realities that citizens like me have lived through. This comparison becomes even more complex when I factor in sensitive issues such as corruption, governance failures, electoral credibility, and national cohesion.

From the outset, I recognize that both leaders governed under different historical and economic conditions. Yet, both also faced the same underlying challenge: how to move Sierra Leone away from systemic corruption, weak institutions, and political division.

According to broader governance assessments, corruption in Sierra Leone is not a recent phenomenon but a deeply rooted structural problem, with the country scoring 33/100 on the Corruption Perceptions Index and ranking 114 out of 180 countries �. This context is important, because it means neither Koroma nor Bio operated in a clean system.

*My Reflection on Ernest Bai Koroma’s Leadership*

When I think of Koroma’s presidency (2007–2018), I remember a period of strong infrastructural expansion. Roads, energy, and visible state projects defined his tenure. However, as I dig deeper into the records and reports, I cannot ignore the weight of corruption allegations that surrounded his administration. A government-commissioned investigation under Bio later accused Koroma’s administration of stealing millions of dollars from state revenues, selling public assets, and misappropriating funds meant for critical sectors such as Ebola response and even religious pilgrimages �.

For me, this was not just a political accusation—it reflected a broader perception among citizens that public funds were not always used for public good.

Even earlier, leaked audits during Koroma’s presidency revealed missing international aid and suspicious financial transactions across ministries �.

When I consider these reports together, I see a pattern: while development projects were visible, financial management and accountability were often questioned.(Wikipedia)

Another issue I observed was the persistence of patronage politics.

Bierra Leone’s political culture has long been influenced by ethnic and regional loyalties, and during Koroma’s time, many critics argued that governance structures were tilted toward political allies. While hard statistical evidence on “tribalism” is often difficult to quantify, the perception of favoritism was widespread, and in a country as fragile as Sierra Leone, perception alone can be destabilizing.

Despite these concerns, I must admit that Koroma achieved tangible development in infrastructure. Roads connected districts, electricity improved in urban areas, and there was a sense of physical transformation. But I often ask myself: at what cost? If millions were allegedly misused, could the country have achieved even more with better accountability?

The Ebola crisis also exposed systemic weaknesses. While Koroma led the country through that crisis, the outbreak highlighted how corruption and underinvestment in healthcare had weakened national resilience. For me, this was a turning point—it showed that infrastructure alone cannot sustain a nation.

My Reflection on Julius Maada Bio’s Leadership

When Julius Maada Bio came into power in 2018, I initially saw a shift in governance philosophy. His focus on human capital development, especially education, stood out. Free Quality Education became his flagship policy, and I could see its immediate impact in increased school enrollment.

However, as I critically examine his tenure, I encounter a different set of controversies—particularly around electoral credibility and political stability.

The 2023 general elections, in which Bio was re-elected with about 56% of the vote �, became one of the most contested in Sierra Leone’s recent history. Opposition parties rejected the results outright, and more importantly, international observers—including the European Union and the Carter Center—raised concerns about “statistical inconsistencies” and lack of transparency in vote tabulation �.

From my perspective, this was a serious issue. Elections are the foundation of democracy, and when their credibility is questioned, the legitimacy of governance is also undermined. Reports indicated that the electoral commission failed to publish detailed polling station data, which further deepened mistrust �.(Wikipedia)

Broader governance reports also noted that the elections contributed to rising political tensions and instability, with observers highlighting “lack of transparency” and systemic weaknesses �. 

I remember how the opposition boycotted governance structures for a period, which created a political deadlock.(BTI 2026)

The aftermath of the elections was equally troubling. Sierra Leone experienced an attempted coup in November 2023, during which over 2,000 inmates were freed and multiple security personnel were killed.

 While the government described it as an attempt to destabilize a democratically elected administration, I could not ignore the connection between political tension and national security risks.(wikipedia)

Internationally, there were also tensions involving regional bodies like ECOWAS.

While Bio later rose to leadership within ECOWAS, his government’s handling of internal political disputes and contested elections drew criticism and strained relationships in certain diplomatic circles.

However, I must balance this critique with acknowledgment of Bio’s efforts in governance reform. His administration actively pursued corruption investigations, including commissions of inquiry into past governments. While some saw this as political targeting, I viewed it as at least an attempt to confront entrenched corruption.

Comparing Both Leaders: My Honest Judgment

As I weigh both leaders, I find myself comparing two different models of governance:

Koroma: Strong on infrastructure and visible development, but heavily criticized for corruption and financial mismanagement.

Bio: Strong on human capital and anti-corruption rhetoric, but criticized for electoral credibility issues and political instability.

On corruption, the evidence against Koroma’s administration appears more direct and financial in nature, involving millions of dollars in alleged misappropriation �. 

On the other hand, corruption under Bio remains part of a broader systemic issue affecting the country, rather than being tied to a single defining scandal of similar magnitude.(Wikipedia)

On democracy, however, Bio faces more intense scrutiny. The lack of transparency in the 2023 elections and the subsequent political crisis raise serious concerns about governance legitimacy.

 For me, this is significant because democracy is not just about policies—it is about trust. (TI 2026 +1)

On national stability, both leaders faced crises: Koroma had Ebola, while Bio faced post-election unrest and an attempted coup. Yet, I feel that Bio’s challenges were more politically driven, whereas Koroma’s were largely health and economic crises.

So, Who Has Done Better?

If I judge purely on visible development, I would say Koroma performed better. His infrastructural achievements are undeniable and continue to shape the country.

But if I judge on governance integrity and long-term institutional reform, I see Bio making more deliberate efforts, even if imperfectly executed.

However—and this is my most honest conclusion—neither leader fully meets the standard of transformational leadership that Sierra Leone needs. Koroma’s achievements were undermined by corruption allegations, while Bio’s reforms are overshadowed by electoral controversies and political tension.

If I must choose, I would cautiously say Koroma edges ahead in terms of tangible national impact, but Bio holds potential in structural reform, provided issues of transparency and political trust are addressed.

My Final Reflection

As I conclude, I realize that Sierra Leone’s problem may not simply be about choosing between Koroma and Bio. The deeper issue lies in systemic governance weaknesses that persist regardless of leadership.

What I truly desire—as a citizen—is a leadership that combines Koroma’s infrastructural drive with Bio’s focus on human development, while eliminating corruption and strengthening democratic institutions.

Until that balance is achieved, the question of “who has done better” will remain not just a comparison of two men, but a reflection of a nation still striving to fulfill its potential.

Thank you for reading. And I believe we'd start this blame shift syndrome and start thinking wisely. 

To be continued at the Coalition of Public Speakers & Modern Writers, CoPsMoW--SL.

+23288309535

© BISHOP SAHR ISAAC PETERSON 

A Poet! An Author! 

Sierra Leone, West Africa. 

28th March, 2026:

Saturday.

+23288309535