Momodou Sabally, campaign manager of U
By Buba Gagigo
Momodou Sabally, the campaign manager of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has vowed that no amount of malicious arrests or mendacious accusations can tarnish his reputation.
Sabally made the remarks after reporting to the Kairaba police station on Wednesday. He had been called in for questioning on Friday, September 15, 2023, and detained over the weekend. He was released on bail on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, after being charged with threatening a public officer.
“And I reported at the Kairaba Police Station this morning after the police granted me bail yesterday following my malicious and unwarranted detention for four days from last Friday. After a similar arrest last December when the police called me in for questioning trying to link me with the alleged coup at the time; they came back again on Friday and arrested me trying to link me to the shooting of paramilitary officers which led to the death of two young Gambians.
“Just like their botched attempt 9 months ago, the police have failed once again in their attempt to link me to a crime that I can never be associated with in my life. It is now clear that I am the number one target of this government that is doing everything it can to either silence me or send me into exile. This time around, after their failure to manufacture a nexus between me and the recent shootings, they have decided to charge me with the offence of “threatening a public officer.” he said.
Sabally vigorously denied the charges and declared that he will defend himself to the fullest extent of the law in any court of law.
“I am a decent, law-abiding Gambian with no record of criminal activity. No amount of malicious arrest and mendacious accusation can stain me, inshaa Allah,” he said.
The UDP campaign manager said that he will continue to be a vocal critic of the government until they bring about democratic change. He also said that he will remain committed to speaking the truth and condemning injustice and bad governance. The campaign manager also thanked the nation for their support during his detention.
“I am grateful to the entire nation for the outpouring of solidarity and support. I am indebted to my family, my party under the leadership of His Excellency Alhagie Ousainou Darboe, the media fraternity, youth groups, religious leaders and the National Human Rights Commission. My lawyers Borry Touray and Abdoulie Fatty have always been a fortress of defence for me and I thank them profoundly. I may not be able to mention all the individuals who came to my defence in this post, but I am deeply grateful to all of them,” he said.
Sabally stated that his focus will remain on his mission, and that this arrest and any future arrests “planned” ahead will never intimidate or distract him from his mission.
“I appreciate the support, and yet I implore my supporters to remain upbeat and unfazed. The spirit I crave for in my supporters is best capture in the following words sent to me from New York by a dynamic young Gambian:
“The most unfairly treated person singled out by a regime built on lies, deception … I don’t feel sorry for you, I’m motivated by your strength, resilience and faith. Bow not because you are “Sabally”. “
“These words of wisdom and courage represent the spirit I implore my supporters to espouse. No one should “feel sorry” for me because I believe in this cause, and I am willing to suffer for it. What’s happening to me under this oppressive regime is something I expect from my readings of the wisdom of the greatest thinkers of all time. To wit, the timeless wisdom of the legendary Albert Einstein: “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.” he concluded.