South-Easterners and representatives of Muslim organizations across the country Thursday 26 March, 2015, wholeheartedly endorsed the appointment of Ambassador Victor Bockarie Foh as Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, and thanked President Ernest Bai Koroma for making such a brilliant decision.
Speaking during a meeting at State House, President Koroma said: "I made the pronouncement after careful thought and because of his loyalty, dedication and commitment to the party, adding that the appointment has not only yielded national unity and bridged the political divide in the country, but also helped to unify the ruling All Peoples Party (APC).
As the president encouraged all to work with sincerity and commitment, he noted that Ambassador Foh's commitment, sincerity and bipartisan approach was unmatched. He expressed hope that with what he has done for the Muslim community the new VP can help to accelerate efforts in that direction as he has a cordial relationship with Muslims countrywide.
"I believe with him we have got a rallying point for both Muslims and Christians," he observed, and quickly added that with the new Vice President the pace of development will be intensified.
Vice President Victor Bockarie Foh pledged to work with President Koroma to accelerate the development and transformation of Sierra Leone, saying that he will never disobey the president in the administration of the country.
"I will respect the President because he is my boss and I will serve President Ernest Bai Koroma as S. I. Koroma served former President Siaka P. Stevens. I will build up the bipartisan relationship...We should not be one sided, and let me be your servant not your boss," the VP vowed.
Alhaji Yaya Deen Kamara said that they were at State House to thank President Koroma for the appointment of Ambassador Foh as Vice President of the country. "We are 100% behind you and we will continue to support the President and the Vice President through and through."
Alhaji Sayma Dumbuya of the Supreme Islamic Council described Vice President Foh as a reliable human being recalling when the APC was in trouble he was one of those who stood strongly behind the party. Alhaji Dumbuya noted that it was unprecedented that President Koroma is the first Christian President of the Republic to send 298 Imams to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca while lauding the decision to appoint Victor Bockarie Foh as VP. "We are supportive wholeheartedly," and warned all to keep the peace.
Alhaji Coker said this is the first time a Christian leader has offered pilgrimage scholarships to Muslims to attend and worship in the house of Allah. He described Vice President Foh's appointment as a move in the right direction.
Chairman Pujehun District Council Sadiq Sillah assured all and sundry that because of the appointment of Vice President Foh coupled with his political tolerance and bipartisan approach, violence in the region will be a thing of the past.
He said the legitimacy of the appointment is left with the Supreme Court to interpret the law, and warned that it was no business of anyone to interfere with the law or take to the streets.
Chairman Sillah commended President Koroma for appointing somebody who is down to earth and can also bridge the political divide. He pledged that they will go out to their various districts to educate their constituents about the opportunity being offered to the south-east not to involve in any form of violence to disrupt the country's hard earned peace and development trajectory.
P. C. Brima Kebbie of Sahn Malen Chiefdom in Pujehun district, joined other speakers to thank the president for appointing Victor Foh as Vice President. He described the APC as a very good party and maintained that it was his duty as a paramount chief to support the government and the party.