The former Vice-President of Sierra Leon, Mr. Samuel Sam-Sumana, has joined the country’s crowded presidential election which is scheduled to hold next year.
Sam-Sumana, who returned home on Thursday after nearly two years in self-imposed exile in Ghana, is contesting under the Coalition for Change (C4C) ticket.
Africa Review reports that C4C comprises fairly newly-registered parties.
The Vice President from 2007, was forced out of office in 2015 after falling out with President Ernest Bai Koroma, in what was described as a power struggle.
He had been stripped off his membership of the governing All People’s Congress (APC), which accused him of anti-party activities.
His removal from office was the subject of a Supreme Court hearing, which eventually ruled against him.
Report from News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) states that Mr Sam-Sumana has since filed a case with the the regional bloc Ecowas court, seeking over $200 million in damages from the government over alleged unfair treatment.
He was received at the Lungi Airport by close family members and friends.
Family sources said Friday the former VP had his diplomatic passport withdrawn by immigration authorities as soon as he stepped out of the Kenya Airways plane that flew him in.
Mr Sam-Sumana said in an interview prior to his return that he was coming to register to vote and run for president and that he feared for his safety.
C4C bid was likely to change the dynamics in the presidential race.
Posted by Janice Johnson
