By Makutu Manneh
Demba Sabally, the country’s Minister of Agriculture, has publicly accused Brikama Area Council Chairman Yankuba Darboe of partisan favoritism, alleging that scholarships intended for students are being awarded exclusively to members of the United Democratic Party (UDP).
Speaking at a campaign rally for the upcoming Foni Bantanjang councilorship election in Foni Bondali, Minister Sabally said that no residents from Bondali have received scholarships from the council. “Yankuba Darboe gave all scholarships to UDP members. Non-Alliance councillors were unable to help anyone with any scholarship,” he asserted.
Minister Sabally highlighted that the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) distributed more than 2,000 scholarships this year, personally handing the awards to beneficiaries. He emphasized that residents of Bondali had not approached his office to apply for these scholarships. “If they had, I would have given it to them. The government provides scholarships for both college and university students. If Bondali residents want access, they know who to contact,” he said, adding that Abdoulie Badjie, Bondali’s councillor, could serve as a point of contact.
The minister also linked access to local development initiatives, including gardens and football fields, to political support for NPP representatives, reinforcing the message that engagement with the party’s local leadership was key.
The remarks come ahead of the January 10 by-elections in Bantanjang and Kaiaf wards, necessitated by the deaths of the sitting councillors in 2025.
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