By Sulayman Waan
Honourable Halifa Sallah, secretary general and leader of the People’s Democratic Organization for Independent and Socialism (PDOIS) has denied allegation that says he congratulated one of the contested parties in last week’s Niamina west by-election.
Speaking to journalists at a news conference held in his office in Churchill’s Town, Honorable Sallah said: “Because if you say somebody has issued a statement congratulating a person, it means that you are taking the side of what actually had happened. So, that is fake news.”
“It is fake news, the secretary-general of PDOIS has not issued any statement before or after the two by-elections,” headed.
He challenged those behind what he called fake audio to withdraw it and apologize to him (Hon. Sallah), adding that an audio is circulating in the social media indicating that the secretary-general of PDOIS issued a statement thanking a political party that contested in the Niamina West Constituency by-election.
Meanwhile, following the death of late honorable Demba Sowe, former Niamina West lawmaker, who was a member of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), IEC organized a By-election that was participated by GDC and the National People’s Party (NPP).
The National People’s Party (NPP) candidate, Birom Sowe was backed by President Barrow’s political comrades including the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress (GPDP), and the National Conventional Party (NCP), while the United Democratic Party (UDP) supported the GDC.
However, PDOIS never participated and was neutral despite the tough political battle in the Central River Region south (CRR/s) Constituency.