By Makutu Manneh
Sulayman Saho, the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) National Organizing Secretary and National Assembly Member for Central Badibou, has urged Gambian media outlets to promote opposition unity ahead of the December presidential election, warning that journalists could become the first targets of a government crackdown if President Adama Barrow secures another term amid a divided opposition.
Speaking Tuesday on the Politic Kaacha program, Mr. Saho said the media has a critical role to play in shaping the political environment and should use its platform to encourage cooperation among opposition parties rather than deepen political divisions.
“If there is no change of government in the upcoming December presidential election, the opposition is not united, and the dictatorship we are facing continues, you will be the first to be arrested,” Mr. Saho said, addressing journalists. “Help spread information that will unite the opposition; do not polarize us.”
Drawing on the experience of the 2016 opposition coalition that defeated former President Yahya Jammeh, Mr. Saho argued that disciplined communication was central to the alliance’s success. He said limiting contradictory public statements helped preserve unity among coalition partners.
He contrasted that approach with the current political landscape, where competing public pronouncements by opposition figures, he said, have created confusion and weakened efforts to build a united front ahead of the election.
Mr. Saho maintained that greater coordination in public messaging would improve the opposition’s prospects in December.
He emphasized, however, that his remarks reflected his personal views and should not be interpreted as the official position of the United Democratic Party.
The December presidential election is expected to be one of the country’s most closely watched political contests, with both the ruling National People’s Party and opposition parties intensifying their campaigns in the months leading up to the vote.
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