1 Comment 
A prominent journalist and politician, Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden, has issued a public call for the Speaker of Parliament, the Right Honorable Segepoh Solomon Thomas, to offer a formal apology to the First Lady, Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Jabbe Maada Bio, during the ceremonial State Opening of Parliament held yesterday in Freetown.
In a strongly worded statement released on social media, Dr. Blyden claimed that the First Lady was subjected to disrespect during her escort to her seat in the parliamentary chamber and insisted that Speaker Thomas bears responsibility for the incident.
“Right Honorable Segepoh Solomon Thomas, we are urgently waiting for your Public Apology to Her Excellency the First Lady Dr. Fatima Jabbe Maada Bio for the RUDENESS that she was subjected to in Parliament during her ceremonial escort to her seat at yesterday’s State Opening of Parliament. Mr. Speaker, if you don’t issue a PUBLIC APOLOGY to the First Lady, we will assume, and place it on record, that your Silence means Consent. Lonta!!!,” she stated.
The specific details of the alleged misconduct were not explicitly outlined in Dr. Blyden’s message. However, her remarks appear to be in response to a growing public debate over protocol observance and respect for the First Lady during official state functions.
The controversy follows an earlier moment from the same event in which the First Lady was seen remaining seated while the President, Vice President, and Speaker entered the chamber. That incident drew criticism from some commentators who viewed it as a breach of protocol. Now, Dr. Blyden is suggesting that the First Lady herself was the one treated inappropriately.
As of the time of writing, neither the Speaker of Parliament nor the Office of the First Lady has issued an official response to the allegations or the demand for a public apology.
According to our Country’s Constitution, though i am not a Lawyer neither; The President is the First Gentle Man, VP -Second Gentle Man, Speaker-Third Gentle Man and Deputy Speaker -Forth Gentle Man.
i am saw wherever any of these people are being ushering-in, Standing Ovation protocol must be observe. Maybe one will say that (Standing Ovation Protocol) is not in our constitution but it’s way we show respect to dignitaries not only in Sierra Leone but almost all over the world but we all saw it on TV when they ushered in VP, almost everybody stood up while the First Lady and another Young Lady declined the protocol.
I am a Sympathizer of SLPP (Not registered Member), Fans of the First Family, but i put my Country First.
I am not that Naive Party Supporter.
To crown it all, some of us may like to hear from the First Lady as well so that we can pass on our judgement without any biases or Favor.
They’re answer to us(Citizens )as well..