UDP Condemns Misuse Of Public Funds: Demands Refund Of The Money Spent On President’s Mother’s Security Per Diem
Tombong Saidy, Media and Communications United Democratic Party
The United Democratic Party (UDP) strongly condemns the alleged misuse of taxpayers’ money after what seems to be an authentic letter from the Office of the President surfaced on social media, requesting D3,625,957.80 to cover per diem allowances for security personnel accompanying the President’s mother on a foreign medical trip, the Secretary-General, and other officials.
The leaked document has sparked public outrage, with many questioning why state funds are being used to finance the personal travel expenses of the President’s extended family. Under Gambian law, taxpayers are only obligated to cover the legitimate expenses of the First Family—the President, spouse, and dependent children—not extended relatives.
This expenditure is a clear violation of fiscal responsibility and an unjust burden on citizens already struggling with economic hardships. Why should hardworking Gambians foot the bill for the President’s mother’s medical trip? If the President wishes to provide his mother with security, he should do so from his own pocket, not the national treasury.
If the government is paying for security per diems, it implies that taxpayers may also be covering the full cost of the trip, including flights, accommodation, and medical bills—an unacceptable misuse of public resources.
The UDP is calling for:
- An immediate refund of the money to state coffers.
- A full audit of all travel expenses related to the President’s family to ensure no further misuse of funds.
- Transparency from the Finance Ministry on whether this is part of a pattern of unjustified expenditures.
This is not a personal attack on the President’s family, but a matter of accountability. Public funds must be used for public good, not private benefits.
The UDP vows to pursue this matter through parliamentary channels and legal avenues if necessary, and that not a single dalasi of taxpayer money should be spent on the President’s extended family.
UDP MEDIA TEAM