First Lady’s Recent Behavior in Parliament: An Affront to the Presidency?

By Kelvin Jay

The atmosphere in Parliament during the Presidential State Opening was tense and visibly unfavorable toward the First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio. When her name was announced, Members of Parliament greeted her with the “Coco Roast” song — “e coco roast oooo, how u manage tay tay u coco roast ooo” — with some MPs chanting and laughing. The First Lady’s facial expression noticeably shifted after the provocation.

Moments later, as the President, Vice President, and Speaker of Parliament entered the chamber, attendees were asked to stand in a show of respect. The First Lady, however, remained seated — an act widely described as a breach of state protocol and a sign of disrespect toward national leadership.

Adding to the controversy, she was observed wearing headphones during the President’s address to Parliament — a gesture many Sierra Leoneans interpreted as a deliberate snub to the presidency.

Shortly after the incident, the First Lady released a video seemingly aimed at redirecting public attention. In the video, she addressed questions about her political role, stating that she had been active in politics long before marrying President Bio. She emphasized her commitment to reshaping narratives — particularly on women’s issues — and asserted that she joined the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) not as a bystander or liability, but as a contributor and active political participant.

Fatima Bio claimed her position within the SLPP has been undermined by a small group of individuals “troubled” by her success and leadership style. She stressed she was not being targeted by the party as a whole, but by “a select few, including old folks” working to discredit her.

Describing herself as resilient, she stated that a woman’s success is not determined by others and that she does not back down under pressure. She reaffirmed her loyalty to the SLPP, pledging to fight for the party’s progress “day and night.” Concluding her remarks, she said that if she were not a political heavyweight, no one would target her — adding that it is because of the value others see in her that they seek to challenge her, and noting that true power comes from God, not mankind.