Speaking at a well-attended meet-and-greet event organised by members of the SLPP UK & Ireland region in central London yesterday evening (8 May 2026), Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Her Excellency Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio, made a passionate appeal for unity, peace, and reconciliation within the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), urging supporters to protect the legacy of President Julius Maada Bio and work collectively towards victory in 2028.
Welcoming guests to the event, SLPP UK & Ireland Regional Chairman, Alhajie Mohamed Jalloh, stressed the importance of unity and discipline within the party, noting that the SLPP is strongest when united. He praised the achievements of the SLPP government under H.E. President Julius Maada Bio. He encouraged members to heed the calls of the Party Leader, H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, and the Party Chairman, Mr. Jimmy Batilo Songa, for peace and harmony within the party. He urged members to reject division and remain committed to the party’s guiding principle of ‘One Country, One People’.
In her remarks. the First Lady emphasised that she was not in London to unveil any political ambition or campaign for any particular position. “I am here to dialogue with my people and answer any questions they may have for me,” she said, reminding supporters that President Bio remains the sitting President of Sierra Leone and that “no vacancy has been declared.”
She stated that any future SLPP candidate would ultimately rely on the achievements and legacy of President Bio, making it imperative for party members to preserve and strengthen those accomplishments rather than undermine them through division and infighting.
Calling on supporters in the diaspora to set aside their differences, Mrs. Bio rejected the notion of automatic political rotation between parties.
“Politics is not a 4×4 baton relay race,” she remarked, maintaining that political parties retain or regain power through policies, achievements, and public confidence rather than entitlement and rotational “ten-year” expectations. “There are no laws in our constitution that speak to such erroneous assumptions”, she maintained.
She criticised the opposition for failing to present meaningful policy alternatives, arguing that threats and intimidation could never replace a genuine development agenda. How can you create a national policy around “unu wait normore leh we kam nar power, we go deal with unu…”, she retorted. Negative grandstanding should not define party political posturing, she implied.
According to her, the SLPP is set to win because it continues to be the only party with a proven record of delivering tangible progress for Sierra Leoneans.
Highlighting the achievements of President Bio’s administration, the First Lady praised landmark reforms such as the abolition of the death penalty, the repeal of the criminal libel law, and the establishment of the Free Quality Education programme. She described President Bio as a courageous and visionary statesman committed to democracy, justice, and human rights.
In one of the evening’s most emotional moments, Mrs. Bio addressed criticism directed at her, which was said to be emanating from certain sections of the female community
“Perhaps it is because I love my husband so much that I refuse to allow distractive drama around him,” she said with a smile, emphasising her unwavering commitment to President Bio and his national agenda.
During the course of her remarks, she also struck a conciliatory tone by openly asking for forgiveness from anyone she may have offended.
“If I have wronged anyone knowingly or unknowingly, I sincerely ask for forgiveness,” she said. “I am human and liable to make mistakes, but this is not about me. This is about Sierra Leone and the future of our country.”
The First Lady further spoke about her efforts to bridge divisions within the party, referencing her recent meeting with SLPP National Chairman Mr. Jimmy Batilo Songa, whom she described as her “big brother.” She stressed that misunderstandings within the party should always be resolved peacefully in pursuit of the common goal of an SLPP victory in 2028.
On women’s empowerment, Mrs. Bio defended her advocacy work, arguing that empowering women ultimately benefits society as a whole.
“Women are not fighting for superiority; we are fighting for togetherness,” she stated, adding that “strong men are not frightened by strong women; they empower and celebrate them.”
She encouraged young girls never to abandon their dreams despite obstacles or criticism, asserting that the GEWE Act was enacted to empower and emancipate women as equal partners in development, rather than allowing them to be treated as disposable burdens.
She defended President Bio’s international engagements as necessary for attracting investment and opportunities for Sierra Leone’s development drive.
Several speakers, including Hon. Robbin Falley, Dr. Sheku Fofanah, Mr. Karamo Dabo, Madam Khadie Fresh, Mr. Shar Changati, and Alhaji Kamara, praised the First Lady for her strong advocacy, loyalty to President Bio, her work on the national stage, her stance on the global platform, and her efforts to strengthen the SLPP. She was variously described as “a role model”, “an inspiration” and “a focused fighter for justice”.
Closing the event, Sierra Leone’s Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mrs. Yvonne King Odigboh, urged Sierra Leoneans everywhere to embrace unity and reconciliation in order to preserve the unity, peace, and progress achieved under President Bio’s leadership.
Abdulai Braima
Information Attaché
SLHC- London
https://www.slhc-uk.org/
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