UDP Youth President Criticizes Seedy Njie’s Remarks as an Attack on Democracy

By Buba Gagigo 

Haji Suwaneh, the National Youth President of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has strongly condemned the recent comments made by Seedy Njie, Deputy Spokesperson of the National People’s Party (NPP), calling them disrespectful to the Gambian people and a direct insult to the nation’s democratic values.

Suwaneh’s statement follows Njie’s recent call for elders in Massembeh to intervene with the family of the UDP candidate, urging them to convince him to withdraw his nomination. Njie’s appeal was based on the familial connection between the UDP and NPP candidates.

“Seedy Njie’s comment is disrespectful to Gambians and an insult to our democracy. His divide and rule is observed throughout the country, especially during elections. His hometown of Nianija was another episode of meddling with electoral candidates. This is the same similar case with the GDC’s national assembly member in Niamina West. In Niamina, the NPP destroyed family relations and brought lots of conflicts in this peaceful community. As for the NPP, instead of paying solidarity with the bereaved family of the deceased GDC NAM, they decided to put up a candidate. Aziz Sowe, Birom Sowe and GDC candidate Yerro Jallow are the same relatives that contested in a nasty campaign battle,” Haji said.

Suwaneh further criticized the NPP’s handling of the recent loss of the GDC National Assembly Member, pointing out that rather than showing solidarity with the grieving family, the NPP opted to field a candidate. He specifically referenced the tensions between Aziz Sowe, Birom Sowe, and GDC candidate Yerro Jallow, who were all related but found themselves in a contentious electoral battle.

The UDP Youth President called on the Gambian public to unite and condemn what he described as the NPP’s use of hate speech tactics. He also pointed to the misuse of state funds meant for development, alleging that these resources were instead being embezzled for electoral manipulation.

“What most Gambians don’t know is that these funds that they’re busy embezzling to corrupt electorates are our own state funds that are supposed to be spent on the development of this country. I would like the public to know that the Massembeh Ward Councilor seat was occupied by a UDP councilor until his answer to the call of Allah SWT, our creator. The late Honourable Bakary Korta was a humble, serving servant, down to earth, and a hardworking councilor for the people of Massembeh ward,” he said.

Suwaneh also criticized the NPP for lacking empathy, accusing them of prioritizing power and personal agendas over the welfare of Gambians. He specifically referenced Seedy Njie’s past rejection of Adama Barrow as the President-elect in 2016, a move he claimed was contrary to the values of democracy. 

“It’s very clear that the NPP does not show any remorse to its citizens. All they care is, power and false personal agendas, like that of the biggest opportunist, Seedy Njie. Seedy Njie is pretending to have lost memory of the fact that, in 2016, he openly rejected the then president-elect, Adama Barrow, as president. But the people of LRR and Kiang in particular are people with dignity and understand how democracy works. The constitution guaranteed the right to vote and to be voted for,” Suwaneh stated.

In closing, Suwaneh advised Lamin Jarju, the NPP candidate, to reconsider his political affiliation, suggesting that the NPP’s divisive tactics were not in the best interest of the Gambian people. He reiterated that councilors should be serving their communities, not advancing personal political agendas. 

“Seedy Njie should be the last person to advise for family unity. Should he do so? Then, it must be for Adama Barrow to address the pressing national issues, such as bringing back the 2020 People’s Draft Constitution, the skyrocketing of food commodities, high unemployment and the internal security of citizens and their properties. Seedy Njie should know that these councilors are to serve their people in the Mansakonko area council, not in Barrow’s cabinet. Therefore, Seedy Njie and Barrow must understand the people of Kiang deserved respect and freedom to exercise their democratic rights,” Haji Suwaneh concluded.