By Buba Gagigo
Ebrima Dibba, Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has denied the allegations that he has betrayed UDP leader Lawyer Ousainou Darboe for Talib Ahmed Bensouda.
Dibba made the denials in a well-publicized WhatsApp audio making the rounds.
“I am not the person you are looking for. I am not someone who would work with someone and then betray them. God and the Prophet know this. If it were not for the people who are defending me even though I am not saying anything, I would not even bother to speak up. The truth is, you are fighting Talib. I spent my first vacation in America at Yama Darboe’s house. I did not go to my brother’s house. I went to Ousainu’s daughter’s house. You are fighting Talib, but God has given him what he has. Talib found me in the UDP, but I did not have what he had through the UDP. All of you who are saying these things found me in the UDP. Let me make one thing clear to you: Only God and Ousainou know what is between us” he said.
Mr. Dibba said that he stood up for the party when many of his accusers were silent and that he would never betray the love and trust between him and Talib.
“Allow me to speak to those of you who are seeking a role or aspire to secure a position. A memory from my early days resurfaces—an image of me as a young boy. I arrived in this country, braving peril for the sake of this party. Back then, there was not a national assembly member, chairman, or councilor who would partake in its proceedings. My fortune lies in the hands of the divine, and it is the divine that will bestow and recompense. I stood steadfastly by this party, dedicating my efforts to it. My intentions do not align with seeking personal gain from any of you.
“I will reciprocate your respect a hundredfold. But if you disrespect me, I will discard you like trash. I will not go into anyone’s office and beg for anything. I have only ever worked for the UDP. Talib Ahmed Bensouda, for God’s sake, loves and respects me. I will return that love and respect. He has never given me anything, and I have never begged him for anything. But he truly respects and values me,” he continued.
In the 2020 UDP congress, Mr. Dibba said that two to four people were brought to Talib to be his running mates, but Talib declined and said that he wanted to work with Mr. Dibba instead.
“From that point onward, he consistently demonstrated his love and respect for me. If you intend to confront Talib, approach him directly. If you wish to express your thoughts, do so openly. Identify yourself by your full name. However, claiming that you will take on Talib using my name, Ebrima Dibba, is a misguided notion. You’re seriously misunderstanding the situation. If any of you believe that I would abandon Talib for any reason, you’re mistaken. I am resolute and unchanging. I don’t backtrack. If you show me even a modicum of respect, I’ll reciprocate a hundredfold. But if your aim is to assert your position or fame earned through UDP and expect me to follow suit, you’re deceiving yourself. I surpassed that stage long ago.” he said.
Ebrima Dibba urged the UDP militants to value and respect each other and to take things calmly. He said that the UDP is a well-established group that cannot be destroyed, regardless of who the person is or what their position is.
“Since the change of government, some people who are speaking here have been given positions. When they went to their appointments, some of them took their children or other people’s children with them. But when I went, I took Lalo Jawla. I took him because he stood up for Alhagie Ousainou when they were in prison. He was the one who used to clean their bathrooms in the prison. After my time in Saudi Arabia ended, I took him to Turkey so that he could hustle. I love this party, so I don’t understand why some people didn’t do the same. There are some people who only stood up recently, but they should have stood up yesterday to do the work that their fathers were doing.
“Let’s stay calm and avoid making any mistakes. I am in this party today, and if I leave the UDP, I will retire from politics. I have been in the UDP for my entire political career, and if I leave, I will leave politics altogether. As for those who are spreading rumors about me, let them say whatever they want. I will not leave Talib Ahmed Bensouda as long as he respects and values me. If that respect is ever lost, then I will have to reconsider my options. This party belongs to everyone, and we are all equal members,” Ebrima Dibba said.