The United Democratic Party (UDP), according to President Adama Barrow, is the greatest threat to the Gambia’s security.
Barrow made the comments when launching a regional office for his own party, the National People’s Party (NPP), during a ceremony in Jarra Soma in the Lower River Region.
“The UDP now poses the greatest threat to national security. There are 19 political parties in The Gambia, which has a diversified political landscape, however many of them are quiet. It is depressing to see that some people are suddenly vocalizing things that they previously shied away from doing. There are accusations of fear and courage being made, along with assertions that certain sons are the righteous ones and others are the rebellious ones.
It’s interesting that God chooses a leader for The Gambia even if some people refer to that person as an outcast. But be assured—it’s already set in stone. President Barrow now has the same power that Yahya Jammeh did in the past. If you don’t heed our advice, you’ll suffer the consequences. We’re at a turning point right now, and I’m ready for it. There is no stopping those who support the NPP. Right now, you’re in charge of the nation, the president declared in Mandinka.
The president stressed that Ousainu Darboe, the secretary general and party leader, had not made as many contributions to the United Democratic Party as he had. He further emphasized the fact that he chose Mr. Darboe to serve as vice president and foreign minister, saying that not even Mr. Darbo’s own children had attained such honours for him.
“Darboe claims to be commemorating 27 years of the UDP, but he has overlooked everyone who has supported him over that period. I can honestly say that I am one of those folks and that I have contributed more to the party than Darboe has. The UDP was elected into office thanks to President Barrow, who also appointed Darboe as a minister and vice president. Who else has supported him like that? not even his biological kids. And nobody else will till the day he passes away,” the president stated in Mandinka.
Additionally, according to President Barrow, he gave the 31 UDP National Assembly members, as well as their councilors, financial assistance in 2017 and furnished them with automobiles.
“I was the one who gave the 31 UDP National Assembly members financial assistance, as well as their new cars, and all of their counselors and chairmen around the Gambia. I have never met those mayors and chairmen before, and I am certain that they would not have stood for office if Yahya Jammeh were still in charge. We do not acknowledge them as UDP members since they are not. He has since started to brag about them. I paid him a visit as the cops watched us from behind, and we talked politics. You’re claiming that we don’t belong to the UDP right now. UDP has altered for this reason. We didn’t use insults or bad language while we were in authority,” he stated.
In addition, President Barrow denied claims that he was terrified and said that he is prepared to shift the narrative in the Gambia.
“I want to be clear that I am ready for this task in every way. If there are any worries that I may be terrified, let me reassure you that I have not felt the slightest bit nervous while running against Yahya Jammeh. I have no need to be terrified of my father, Ousainu Darboe, if I’m not afraid of Yahya Jammeh. Such worries are, in my opinion, just baseless and impractical.
But let me be clear that no one will be able to offend someone in the Gambia without suffering the repercussions. We shall take necessary measures, up to and including arresting the radio station owner, if someone phones in and acts disrespectfully, even over the air.
Additionally, we shall stop the behavior of denigrating other people on social media. We will re-arrest them, he said in Mandinka, even if a court releases them on bond.