By George M.O. Williams
FREETOWN — The ceremonial State Opening of the Third Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic took an unexpected turn on August 7, 2025, when First Lady Fatima Bio was met with chants and jeers from within the parliamentary chamber, raising fresh questions about her standing within the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
As the First Lady entered the chamber, several Members of Parliament were heard chanting “You coco roast oh,” a phrase that originated as light-hearted political banter during the SLPP’s 14th National Delegates Conference at the Bintumani Conference Center. The chant, popularized by former National Chairman Dr. Prince Harding, was initially met with laughter and rhythmic swaying from delegates. However, its reappearance in a formal state setting carried a more pointed tone.
Witnesses reported variations of the chant, including “Di Mami e coco burn,” widely interpreted as a jab at the First Lady’s recent political setbacks. Notably, she remained seated during the entrance of President Julius Maada Bio and Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, despite protocol requiring attendees to stand—a move some viewed as a silent protest.
In a Facebook Live broadcast on Sunday, Fatima Bio responded publicly, dismissing the incident as the work of “a handful of old men” within the SLPP. She described the chants as a calculated attempt to inflict “maximum emotional torture,” but maintained that she still enjoys broad support within the party.
Despite her assertions, viral images and videos from the event have sparked speculation about deepening divisions within the SLPP. The First Lady’s political allies suffered notable defeats during the party’s recent executive elections, where candidates aligned with her camp lost to rivals backed by more established figures. Analysts suggest this may signal the party’s gradual shift toward a post-Bio political landscape, where proximity to the presidency no longer guarantees influence.
Whether the incident marks a turning point in Fatima Bio’s political trajectory or remains a fleeting episode of party theatrics, it has undeniably exposed fault lines within the SLPP at a time when unity is paramount.