By Kemo Kanyi
The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) and the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) have continued taking from each other’s camp as they are preparing ahead of the 2026 election.
Tijan Drammeh, United Democratic Party’s chairman for Lower Niumi, led a group of young people to the national bureau of the ruling National People’s Party at Serre-Kunda on Thursday shifting their allegiance to the ruling party.
Amat Mboge, chairman of the North Bank Wrestling Association, Mamat Jim Kebbeh, chairman of Medina Ward Sports Committee, Fatou Njie female mobilizer for the UDP in Ndungu Kebbeh, and others decided to shift allegiance to the NPP.
Tijan Drammeh assured his continued mobilisation of the youth in Lower Niumi and North Bank at large to join the National People’s Party. He added that his shift of tone is in the interest of the nation and the North Bank. Other defectors echoed similar sentiments.
Momodou Sabally, the special adviser to the president, urged the defectors to strengthen their feet and organise a mass political rally to sensitize the youth to join them. He added: “Let’s fix what we have destroyed for NPP in the past elections. North Bank is a stronghold for the opposition, but what I have seen here today simply manifested that the roots of the opposition in North Bank Region have already been uprooted.”
He further called on the youth to join the National People’s Party for the continued realisation of the president’s development agenda. He affirmed those who are against President Adama Barrow, don’t know him, but if they do, they will join him in his course to get the Gambia to the promised land.
On the other side of the coin, the United Democratic Party held a mass “Saliboo” political meeting at the Buffer Zone on Friday, where it welcomed a huge number of militants who cross-carpet from the ruling National People’s Party, Gambia Democratic Congress, and APRC- No to Alliance.
Adama Bayo, a women leader from Foni Bintang and the NPP sympathiser, led a group of young people from FoniBintang who have shifted their allegiance from the ruling National People’s Party to the opposition United Democratic Party.
She highlighted that she returns to UDP because women are suffering, especially in the area of the markets. She assured the UDP leadership of his massive campaign to increase the party’s membership in her area.
Mariama Jarju, APRC-No to the coalition, also led a youth group from Jabang.
“We have seen someone who wants to end our suffering, that’s UDP, and if we don’t follow him, we are doing no good for our children. Can the salary in the Gambia take care of the family’s needs? The Gambia is not secured. Everyone should open his eyes to know who can lead the nation progressively,” she said.
Fatou Jallow of the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress has led a youth group from the Lower River Region to join the opposition United Democratic Party.
Alpha Sallah, chairman of the ruling National People’s Party in the Lower River Region, and other NPP militants from LRR have cross-carpeted to join the UDP at the political meeting held in Buffer Zone.
Buwa Fofana, former NPP chairman of Busumbala, who shifted his allegiance to UDP recently, has led another youth group from Busumbala Constituency to join UDP. He promised to strengthen UDP’s support base in the area.
Hon. Ousainu Darboe, leader of the opposition United Democratic Party, said this is an unprecedented “Saliboo” ever in the political history of the Gambia.
“You have come without expecting anything, but to build the nation. You were with us. You left because someone led you into disarray. Now that you have seen the reality and come back, you are welcome back to your home,” he welcomed them.
He said President Barrow is repeating what was said about ex-president Jammeh, even more than what the ex-president did.
While taking time to address the current situation at the ferry service, Hon. Darboe expressed shock at the situation currently faced by people using the Banjul-Barra crossing.
“An unprecedented scene has recently happened, which has never happened since independence. During President Jawara’sregime, the ferries have never stopped working, Jammeh of all that he did, the ferries have never stopped working during his era. People of the Gambia and Niumi, let’s turn our back on this government. All these bad things are happening in the country, and people are clapping for this government. Isn’t this worrisome?” Darboe asked.
On the issue of government D40M disbursement to selected media houses in the country for promoting government agenda.He said only good deeds can promote one’s agenda, nothing else.
“Giving money to selected media houses and even to all media houses cannot promote any governance agendas because Gambians know the government is not going the right way. Gambia Radio Television Services, the Ministry of Information, and other relevant government agencies can bridge the information gap. They have underrated our state broadcaster, GRTS, the Ministry of Information, and other government agencies responsible.
Responding to Hamat Bah’s Koriteh speech about issuing licence for Imams to preach, the veteran politician urged the Minister to apologize to Gambians, while he also expressed his disappointment in him.
“Issuing licences for Imams to be able to preach, and other bad governance modes have been opposed by myself, the president, and Hamat Bah. Why is Minister Bah trying to bring such issues back again? He should apologise to the people of The Gambia for that statement. I am disappointed in his utterances in this regard,” he affirmed.
He urged the government to do the road clearing in the right way that wouldn’t be detrimental to the lives and livelihood of the poor Gambians.
“Yes, roads should be freed, but people are also making their living from roadside trading. The government should first sensitise the people before embarking on such road-clearing exercises. How those are affected going to make their living? Roadside trading is seen everywhere in Africa. Show them where to sell first before dismantling their shops and street vending sites,” he frowned.