Although the Sierra Leone People's Party had won the previous elections in 1962, it had become increasingly unpopular, in part due to Albert Margai's unsuccessful attempts to convert the country into a one-party state, accusations of corruption, and an attempt to prevent opposition parties running against him and three other SLPP candidates.
[3] There was also an ethnic dimension to the elections; the SLPP tended to be supported by the Mende, Sherbro and Fula, whilst the APC was more popular amongst the Temne, Susu, Loko, Mandinka and Creoles.
[5] Governor-General Henry Josiah Lightfoot Boston swore in APC leader Siaka Stevens as the country's new Prime Minister on 21 March.
Lansana was then removed from power on 23 March by a group led Andrew Juxon-Smith which named themselves the National Reformation Council.
On 18 April 1968 a "sergeants' revolt" was carried out by the Anti-Corruption Revolutionary Movement led by John Amadu Bangura.