By Fatou Sillah
Political analyst and commentator Nyang Njie has described the United Democratic Party (UDP) as one of The Gambia’s most consistent opposition parties, arguing that its greatest challenge is not its record but the public perception surrounding it.
Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Mr. Njie said the UDP has distinguished itself through sustained participation in presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections, building a nationwide political organization that few parties have matched.
“Like UDP, hate UDP, you must say one thing. They’re one of the most, apart from PDOIS, consistent parties,” he said.
Mr. Njie said the party’s longevity and organizational strength have made it a formidable opposition force. He added that several UDP figures have advanced policy ideas that could contribute meaningfully to national development.
Still, he argued that the party has struggled to manage its public image, particularly the conduct of some of its most vocal supporters.
“My only fault with UDP is how can they tame some of their loyal supporters from tainting the image of the party? I think the UDP suffers more from an image problem than a reality problem,” he said.
According to Mr. Njie, some of the party’s negative public image stems from narratives that took root during former President Yahya Jammeh’s rule. He said allegations and tribal stereotypes directed at the party were never effectively challenged, allowing those perceptions to persist.
“They never responded to that tribal stereotype unleashed by Jammeh, and it stuck,” he said.
He criticized what he described as a growing tendency for ruling parties to absorb prominent opposition figures, arguing that such practices can erode political pluralism and weaken democratic competition.
“How on earth can you be a ruling party; you have the machinery of state at your disposal, yet still you want to grab any voice that is dissenting to your camp, just to ensure you continue to stay in power?” he asked.
While political alliances may produce electoral gains, Mr. Njie warned that democracy is ultimately strengthened by preserving independent and dissenting voices, not by diminishing them.
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