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Opposition politician and social commentator, Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden has said that the position of The All People’s Congress (APC) on female genital mutilation (FGM) is consistent with that of First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, maintaining that girls should be protected while women should be respected.
Blyden made this remark in response to what she described as inaccurate claims contained in a European Union alert concerning the First Lady’s participation in cultural events held in Kenema and Pujehun on 23 May 2026.
According to Dr. Blyden, reports alleging that the First Lady addressed Bondo women in Kenema and pledged support or protection for FGM practitioners are false. She said the First Lady did not deliver a speech during the Bondo and Sande cultural procession in Kenema, where she joined women celebrating the annual event.
Dr. Blyden explained that the First Lady later travelled to Pujehun on the same day, where she addressed women’s groups after some traditional performers were unable to participate because of time constraints and unfavourable weather conditions. She said the remarks made in Pujehun were intended to reassure and appreciate the women who felt disappointed at missing the opportunity to perform.
She argued that comments made during the Pujehun engagement had been taken out of context and incorrectly attributed to the earlier event in Kenema.
Dr. Blyden further noted that both the Kenema and Pujehun engagements were streamed live on the First Lady’s official Facebook page, saying the recordings provide a clear account of the day’s events and can be used to verify what transpired.
She called on the Office of the First Lady to formally engage the organisations referenced in the European Union alert and seek a withdrawal or correction of what she described as inaccurate claims.
The European Union alert and the organisations mentioned by Dr. Blyden had not publicly responded to her assertions at the time of writing.
