President Adama Barrow, Party Leader of NPP
By Fatou Sillah
President Adama Barrow has urged members and supporters of the National People’s Party (NPP) to remain committed to the party, regardless of challenges. He emphasized that, despite the hardships faced by the NPP, members should resist the temptation to leave for other political parties. He noted that many individuals are leaving other parties to join the NPP for genuine reasons.
“No matter how difficult it gets, do not abandon the NPP for another party. People are leaving other parties to join us because they see value in what we offer. You already have what others are striving for—why leave now? It’s like having a well and choosing to leave it for a jar,” President Barrow remarked.
He also called on NPP supporters to adhere to principles of ethics, discipline, and unity within the party. He urged them to refrain from engaging in divisive politics and negative social media discourse.
“I urge NPP supporters to recognize the harm caused by social media when it becomes a platform for conflict. No one shares family problems on social media, so why should we air our political grievances there? Social media will not resolve your issues. It’s a tool that often does more harm than good,” he said.
The President advised party members to address personal issues within the party structure, consulting the party executive for solutions rather than taking grievances online.
“The solution lies in open dialogue within our party. If you face challenges, bring them to the family and discuss them together to find resolutions,” President Barrow added.
In his address, the President further encouraged party executives to ensure inclusivity, urging them not to marginalize any member. He emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration in building a stronger party.
“I urge all members of the executive, including our politicians, National Assembly Members (NAMs), councillors, and even those who did not win the elections, to remain part of our collective effort. We should not leave anyone behind. Make an effort to engage with them, and involve them in our activities to make them feel valued,” he advised.
Drawing from his personal experiences, President Barrow illustrated the potential for political comebacks, citing both his own journey and that of the President of Ghana. He noted that losing an election does not mean the end of political prospects.
“A candidate who loses today can win tomorrow. The President of Ghana lost an election eight years ago, but today he is in office. Similarly, councillors and chairpersons who lost their elections can still succeed in the future. Let us not marginalize them. I am an example of this. I ran for office in 2007 and lost in 2012, but in 2016, I became the President of The Gambia,” President Barrow concluded.