Hinga Norman Junior,, son of the late civil militia leader in Sierra Leone during the civil war, Samuel Hinga Norman, has, on behalf of himself and the Hinga Norman family officially declared his support for the ruling APC party at a recent APC National Youth League conference in Makeni, capital of the northern region.
"As from this day, I am APC, till I die," he told the audience to thunderous applause and shouts of joy.
Norman had earlier made a similar statement in London two months ago on August 27 this year.
In Makeni Hinga Norman Jnr held up his late father’s diary in which he narrated what transpired between him and the APC among others before his death.
The late pro-government militia leader wrote that while he was incarcerated and on trial at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, most people including his political party (the SLPP,the current main opposition party), religious leaders and others refused to visit him.
Speaking in Krio, the country’s lingua franca, Norman Junior continued:
"Everybody was afraid to go and see my dad. Then he called Honourable Victor Foh who was at first afraid to go but went to consult his boss (current President Ernest Bai Koroma) who was then opposition leader. Pa Bai Koroma told him to go. When Pa Victor Foh went to see my dad, my dad told him to go and bring his boss, Pa Bai Koroma. When Pa Bai Koroma arrived, my dad embraced him, held his hands and said: "Only you can save this country, only you can bring peace and prosperity to this country.He then asked him to look over his family and his people if he were to die. Pa Bai Koroma promised to do just that," he said to resounding applause.
Hinga Norman Junior said it took him seven years to move over to the APC, to make sure he was doing the right thing. He, together with his family, then finally made up their mind.
"We are now APC. My mother, my sister and other family members are all here," he said.
A video clip of his speech is available on the Facebook page of Jarrah Kawusu Konte, a member of the State House press corps.
Photo: Hinga Norman Jnr (left) with Vice President Foh in London this year.
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