By Kemo Kanyi & Haddy Touray
President Adama Barrow and the NPP have extended “heartfelt” congratulations to the secretary-general and leader of the UDP Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and his party for retaining the Masembeh Ward following a bye-election on Saturday.
In a congratulatory message he signed on behalf of the National People’s Party (NPP) Executive and the entire NPP family, President Barrow said: “While the retention exemplifies the confidence the people of Masembeh Ward have placed in your Party and its leadership, we would like to reiterate that the NPP, under my leadership, remains resolved in its commitment to the furtherance and consolidation of political pluralism in The Gambia. We strongly believe that vibrant multi-party democracy is essential for the growth and development of our nation. The peaceful and transparent conduct of the Masembeh Ward bye-election and the post-election period underscore significant progress we are making as a nation in strengthening our democratic institutions and processes.”
According to the Gambian leader and the NPP, the NPP Government and Party “are deeply committed to building a Gambia that not only reflects but respects the principles of the rule of law, fundamental human rights, and our sacred civil liberties”.
“We are dedicated and strongly committed to creating an environment where every citizen can enjoy these basic rights without hindrance, and where the voices of all Gambians are heard and valued without discrimination and regardless of the citizens’ political opinion,” stated the congratulatory.
“In the same vein, we would like to seize this opportunity to also extend our profound appreciation to the people of Masembeh Ward, particularly our NPP Candidate, his family, and our Party members and supporters, for their discipline, maturity, and active participation in the electoral process. Your dignified and spirited fight will go down in history as a lesson for all to admire and emulate.
“Once again, our heartfelt congratulations to the UDP on their impressive victory. We look forward to our continued collaboration and constructive engagement with your Party and all political parties as we work together to build a prosperous, peaceful, and inclusive Gambia for all,” concluded the message.
Meanwhile, the NPP candidate Lamin Jarju has congratulated UDP’s Bakary Jarju a day after the elections.