By:Momodou Justice Darboe
There has been a convergence of view among three high-level officials of the NPP that Momodou Sabally’s defection to the NPP represents a huge political gain for the ruling party.
Shockwaves were early last week sent through the Gambia’s main opposition political party after Mr. Sabally dispatched his resignation letter to the party’s executive.
The UDP spokesperson Almamy Taal admitted in an interview with this reporter last week that Sabally’s decision to resign as the UDP campaign manager has taken the party off-guards.
Though Taal suggested that Mr. Sabally’s departure from the UDP would not be costly to the party, some NPP officials were convinced that the NPP has caught a big fish following Sabally’ssubsequent declaration of allegiance to the NPP on Thursday.
The NPP campaign manager Lamin Cham, the party’s 2nd deputy president Ablie Suku Singhateh and executive member Haji Baniko Sisoho have all agreed in their assessment of Sabally’sdefection that it was a huge strategic political gain for the NPP.
“Sabally’s allegiance to the NPP will greatly enhance the party’s unstoppable growth in popularity since its registration as a bona fide party on 31 December 2019. It will also consolidate the gains we’ve so far made,” said NPP campaign manager Cham in an interview with The Voice.
The NPP’s 2nd deputy president Ablie Suku Singhateh said: “Sabally’s coming to the NPP will significantly add value to the party. Anyone, who joins a party, will increase numbers but Sabally’s joining the NPP is special because he was the campaign manager of our main opponent. We all know the position of campaign manager. For such a man to leave your opponents to join you is a big plus. We should work hard to make sure he brings in new members so that NPP’s strength can be beefed up.”
When contacted for his reaction, NPP executive member Haji Baniko Sisoho said: “Sabally’s declaration of allegiance to the NPP is a big boost for the party. Even though you never saw Sabally, you must have heard of him. His defection is hugely politically important because Sabally was the campaign manager of a big opposition political party like the UDP. UDP is the biggest opposition party in The Gambia and it was their campaign manager, who shifted allegiance to us. This is another indication that NPP has a bright future. It is a clear indication that victory for NPP in the 2026 presidential election is a foregone conclusion. Whether anyone accepts this or denies it, that’s the fact.”
The officials explained why Sabally’s defection was significant to the NPP.
“Sabally’s joining forces with the NPP has reduced the UDP quite significantly because if you look at it critically, Saballywas the UDP’s campaign manager. That’s a strategic and critical role in any political party. For a political operative of such caliber to join us is a huge boost. His defection may spur other UDP members, who want to join the NPP, to jump on the bandwagon. It will also make other UDP members dormant. So, it’s good for us,” said campaign manager Cham.
According to Haji Baniko Sisoho, President Barrow is the man for the job. He explained: “We have seen President Barrow’s accomplishments and his good-naturedness. The Gambia needs development and a leader, who will be patient, show kindness and compassion to the masses, a president who will respect and uphold fundamental rights. President Barrow has given every arm of the government unfettered freedom. He does not interfere in their work.
Court judgments were delivered against him and he never attempted to obstruct the justice administration in this country. He has guaranteed freedom of speech and people are speaking their minds without reprisals from the government. This is an example of a thriving judiciary and healthy democracy. President Barrow is not flamboyant like the Presidents I have seen throughout my many travels across many countries in the world. I won’t say his modesty is unparalleled in the world but it’s rare.
This is what The Gambia needs. The Gambia doesn’t need a leader, who will torment the masses and steal public funds. Right now, Gambia needs somebody like President Barrow. I want to urge Gambians to embrace him as much as they can.”
According to the NPP’s 2nd deputy president Ablie SukuSinghateh, executive member Haji Baniko Sisoho and campaign manager Lamin Cham, it’s President Barrow’s accomplishments in the areas of infrastructure, education, health, electricity supply, protection of democracy, human rights among others that continue to endear him to the Gambian people.