FREETOWN – Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, has responded to widespread speculation about her potential intention to run for president, telling BBC journalist Megha Mohan that she is not hungry for the country’s highest office.
“Presidency does not come just like that. It will have to be the will of God. I’m a fervent believer that when God wants something, He does it. If it is what God wants, no man can stop it. I’m not hungry for presidency,” she said.
The First Lady’s comments come amid growing public debate and media attention surrounding her name being mentioned as a possible future contender for the nation’s highest office.
In the same interview, Bio also spoke about her escape from child marriage at age 13, her journey as a refugee in London, and her rise as one of Sierra Leone’s most outspoken public figures.
Since becoming First Lady, she has transformed the role in Sierra Leone, campaigning publicly on issues including child marriage, sexual violence, and period poverty.
Addressing the criticism and negativity that has accompanied speculation about her political future, Fatima Bio said she remains unfazed.
“I am not worried about the negativity that is being spread — negativity based on people who are so terrified that this woman might come up to contest for the presidency,” she stated.
She further dismissed the ongoing conversations about her political ambitions, making it clear that she is not engaging with the rumors.
“I’m not having a conversation to validate any of those things, whatever they said,” she added.
The interview has since sparked mixed reactions across the country, with some praising the First Lady for her candid response and others continuing to debate the possibility of her entering the political arena.
As of now, Fatima Bio has neither confirmed nor denied any future political aspirations, reiterating that any such move would be a matter of divine will rather than personal hunger for power.