By: Momodou Justice Darboe
Top NPP official Dr. Demba Sabally has suggested that the rank and file of the NPP carry a huge burden in protecting President Adama Barrow from Lawyer Ousainou Darboe’s “sinister” plans by ensuring that the veteran politician doesn’t even become a village head or a regional governor.
Lawyer Darboe recently addressed UDP supporters, who turned out in the regional capital of Brikama, to partake in the commemorations of one of the most important events on theopposition party’s calendar dubbed Yellow Day
To Dr. Sabally, the onus of denying Lawyer Darboe an electoral victory in 2026 has been made heavier on NPP supporters by Darboe’s pronouncement during the Yellow Day commemorative event that the land allocated to the President to build his home would be forfeited to the State if the UDP is voted into office.
Dr. Sabally wondered whether any amount of envy could supersede Darboe’s wish to confiscate President Barrow’s land if voted into office.
“But our role here as NPP supporters is to make sure OusainouDarboe doesn’t succeed in becoming even an Alkalo or a commissioner. However, when you take a look at all this [Darboe’s pronouncement], we were not surprised at all. In 1981, Ousainou defended murderous rebels in court and they were freed. We’ll not be surprised if that individual is stoking up violence,” Dr. Sabally said last Saturday as he delivered a speech at the inauguration of the NPP regional bureau in Brikama.
“When Three Years Jotna surfaced, they denied being behind it. But today, who was in the Three Years Jotna who is not a UDP member? Is Yankuba Darboe not part of the UDP now? The people of the West Coast have a huge regret because they made Yankuba Darboe victorious but he is not engaged in anything other than uttering foul words and confrontations. He couldn’t do anything about the sewage and waste issue but he was preoccupied with criticizing the authorities and inciting youth and women yet he would never be at the theatre of any violence,” added Dr. Sabally.
Turning to Lawyer Darboe, Dr. Sabally, who is also the NPP second vice president, stated: “Ask Ousainou whether the compound he now occupies wasn’t allocated to him by the State. Ask Ousainou whether the land allocated to his wife wasn’t done by the State. Ask him whether the compound his daughter occupies wasn’t allocated to her by the State. They are Gambians and is Barrow also not a Gambian. If President Barrow permits us, we will also confiscate his compound tomorrow.”
Dr. Sabally argued that the UDP leader should be more concerned about his “tax arrears” than suggesting to President Barrow to set up an anti-corruption commission. He continued: “Ousainou Darboe traveled to Brikama here [Yellow Day commemorations]. He said if President Barrow is serious about combating graft, then he can establish an anti-corruption commission. What I want to tell Ousainou Darboe is that he was found wanting by a tax commission for failing to file his tax returns. Therefore, let him go and settle that tax arrears instead of suggesting the establishment of an anti-corruption commission. The same Ousanou Darboe said the prices of commodities are prohibitive and that if he assumes power, he would distribute fertilizer to farmers at no cost to them. He said the price at which fertilizer is sold in The Gambia is expensive. He said the cost of rice is exorbitant but Ousainou Darboe, which Gambian did you see purchasing rice from Casamance or Senegal? If it’s relatively cheap there, why aren’t Gambians buying it from there? Last week, we issued a press release to warn against the cross-border trade of fertilizer from The Gambia. Why aren’t they buying it there if it’s cheaper on the other side of the border?”
According to Dr. Sabally, the masses “are grateful to President Barrow for the peace that his peacefulness safeguards.
“You safeguard and respect the law. The masses are so grateful to you for that,” he added.
He underlined that President Barrow had done for the NPP what every good father should do for his family.
“You built us eight compounds [political bureaus in each administrative region except KM] across The Gambia. This is the best intention that a loving father, who wishes a bright future for his children, has. Lamin Cham just said that President Barrow is already a President and would be here with us for so many, many years to come but the reason for constructing these houses is to ensure his family does not disintegrate. This is what a good father does for his children. Therefore, we thank him very much for that,” stated Dr. Sabally.
He wondered why the people of the West Coast had rallied behind the UDP.
“Hon. Sillah had asked about the reason why the indigenes of the West Coast Region are rallying behind the UDP. What are you seeking in the UDP? West Coast, President Barrow is constructing the country’s biggest hospital in Farato. And Faratois located here on the West Coast,” stated Dr. Sabally. He added: “The people of the West Coast, President Barrow’s government will construct a deepsea port in Sanyang. The largest poultryfarms in the country are located in Sanyang and Sambuya. The people of West Coast, 90% of the OIC roads are on the West Coast and the reason being that it’s the people of the West Coast that he loves. The most exciting thing is that President Barrow has redeveloped the University of The Gambia in Faraba and that’s here on the West Coast. The biggest skills centers are located at Ndemban and Kanilai all on the West Coast and, of course, all accomplishments of His Excellency.”
