By Kemo Bojang
It is both surprising and disingenuous for the National People’s Party (NPP) to now disown Mbemba Drammeh and dismiss his allegations as baseless. The NPP’s attempt to distance itself from Mr. Drammeh, a known figure within their ranks, reflects a pattern of denial and cover-up that has become all too familiar. Even members of the United Democratic Party (UDP) were well aware of Mr. Drammeh’s role and influence during the formative stages of the NPP.
Mr. Drammeh has already indicated that he will, at the appropriate time, present detailed evidence to substantiate his claims. We, in the UDP, encourage him to come forward with this evidence so that Gambians can finally learn the truth about the 2021 presidential election.
The UDP has always maintained that the 2021 elections were marred by irregularities. We painstakingly compiled over 2,000 pages of evidence documenting these malpractices and presented our case before the Supreme Court. However, our case was dismissed on technicalities without allowing us to present the substantive evidence—effectively denying the Gambian people the opportunity to scrutinize the electoral process.
Let us also not forget that this is not the first time such allegations have emerged from within the NPP itself. In 2022, Ebrima Kaira, who served as an NPP agent, openly admitted to participating in the rigging of the 2021 elections. The NPP cannot dismiss these repeated claims as mere coincidences or fabrications. When multiple individuals from within their own party raise such allegations, it raises serious questions about the credibility and legitimacy of their electoral victory.
Moreover, it is worth noting the hypocrisy of the NPP in their response. When issues surrounding their internal flag-bearer contest surfaced, the NPP wasted no time in dragging a media house to court. Yet, in this instance, despite labeling Mr. Drammeh’s claims as defamatory, they have failed to take any legal action against him. If the NPP is so confident that Mr. Drammeh’s statements are false, why haven’t they sought legal redress as they did in previous cases?
The UDP stands firm in its commitment to democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. We call on all Gambians, civil society organizations, and the media to demand accountability and transparency from the NPP. If the NPP truly values democracy, let them allow the allegations to be fully investigated and tested in a court of law, instead of resorting to empty denials and baseless attacks on Mr. Drammeh’s credibility.
The Gambian people deserve answers—not more cover-ups.