Matty Kanyi, Women Rep. Councilor at KMC
By Buba Gagigo
Matty Kanyi, Women’s Representative Councilor at the Kanifing Municipal Council, addressing what she described as an attack on Mayor Talib Bensouda, asserted that the Mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe, has an agenda that differs from that of UDP party leader, lawyer Ousainu Darboe.
“We condemn the attack on Lord Mayor Talib Bensouda. Talib has never stated that he wants to be the flag bearer or party leader of the UDP, yet there is excessive talk surrounding this issue. It is disheartening that both of you are Mayors from the same party, yet you attack him with claims you have never heard from Talib himself,” she said.
Kanyi emphasized that the KMC mayor is aware of the UDP’s selection process and has no intention of using any other means.
“Before he became Mayor, he submitted an application alongside five other candidates and won the primaries. If Talib were interested in a position, he would not seek to do so through underhanded means. Talib is a UDP member, and every mother works for her children to benefit. Everyone knows that Amie Bensouda is a dedicated UDP member, and her son would never engage in anything that would betray Ousainou Darboe—never!” she said.
Kanyi reiterated that they have only one party leader, lawyer Ousainu Darboe, and advised people to be mindful of their public statements against party members.
“Talib has never spoken ill of Ousainu Darboe until the audio leak, while others have traveled to France to speak negatively about him, and their audios are circulating. These same individuals are now attacking Talib, but I want to emphasize that Talib will not respond to them. He is a respectable young man, and enough is enough. We all belong to the same Gambia and the same UDP. We should recognize that you cannot fight against something that hasn’t arrived. This is not the first, second, or third attack on Talib, coming from people claiming to be from the same party as him,” she said.
Kanyi pointed out that Talib has never claimed he would take Darboe’s position, nor has he claimed to be selected.
“While Gambian citizens may make such statements, Talib cannot control that, nor has he encouraged anyone to say that. You have your own agenda, which differs from Darboe’s, and we all know what that is. Let us stop attacking one another and focus on the UDP. Remember, the commitment you’ve had to the UDP since 1996 is the same commitment Talib’s mother has had since that time,” she concluded.