By Buba Gagigo
MC Cham Jr., a business councillor at the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) and a member of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has responded to recent remarks made by Seedy Njie in Kiang, criticizing what he views as a double standard by the ruling National People’s Party (NPP).
Cham stated that the NPP had previously engaged in similar political maneuvers against the UDP during the last local government elections, specifically in Dippa Kunda.
“I listened to Seedy Njie’s audio urging Massembeh elders to persuade the UDP candidate to withdraw due to family ties. But is this the first time Seedy Njie is acknowledging such issues? I will give you a similar example from the last local government election, when the NPP did the same to the UDP. In Dippa Kunda, KMC, our candidate was Muhammed Drammeh, and the entire community knew he was our representative. However, the NPP selected his aunt, Mariama Chubalo, as their candidate. Did the NPP consider family ties then? Despite that, the UDP did not complain—we simply contested the election. Politics is about choice, and everyone has the right to support whomever they prefer,” Cham asserted.
Cham further emphasized that it is common in a democratic society for individuals within the same family to support different political parties.
“During Sir Dawda Jawara’s era, we often saw two candidates from the same household representing different parties. That is normal in politics. The real issue here is that they are afraid because they know they have no chance of winning that seat. I advise the residents of the ward to accept any financial inducements but vote for the UDP on Election Day. That is the only way to put an end to the NPP’s politics of influence. You cannot drive the country into extreme poverty and then attempt to manipulate voters with handouts during elections. These politicians disappear for five years and won’t even answer your calls,” he remarked.
According to Cham, the NPP’s increased presence and rhetoric in Kiang indicate their growing fear of losing.
“They are moving around Kiang, making baseless statements, but they should know that Kiang is not a place where people can be easily deceived. The residents are politically conscious; they understand the dire economic situation in the country, and they know it is a result of Adama Barrow’s government. Gambians are fully aware of the hardships they are facing today,” he concluded.
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