“Pay Our Money”: Kiang West Lawmaker Challenges NPP Allies Over Presidential Tour Expenses

By Makutu Manneh

Lamin Ceesay, the National Assembly Member for Kiang West, has criticized leaders of political parties allied with President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party (NPP) for accompanying the president on his nationwide tour, questioning whether public funds are being used to cover their expenses.

Speaking on Kerr Fatou, Ceesay singled out Essa Mbye Faal, Mama Kandeh and Sidat Yaffa among the political figures accompanying President Barrow on his ongoing Meet the People Tour.

“All those who are in alliance with President Barrow and following him on the constitutionally required tour should pay our money. This is taxpayers’ money,” Ceesay said.

The lawmaker argued that while the Constitution requires the president to undertake nationwide engagements with citizens, that obligation does not extend to financing the participation of political allies who hold no government positions.

He questioned the propriety of using state resources to cover fuel, accommodation, and allowances for individuals accompanying the president in their capacity as political allies rather than public officials.

“A man of principle should not do that,” Ceesay remarked.

His criticism raises questions about the distinction between the president’s constitutional responsibilities and the political activities of parties aligned with his administration, particularly regarding the use of public resources.

President Barrow is currently undertaking his annual Meet the People Tour, a constitutionally mandated exercise intended to allow the head of state to engage directly with citizens, hear their concerns, and assess development priorities across the country.

In recent years, the tour has also attracted leaders of political parties allied with the ruling NPP.

Ceesay’s remarks add to the debate over the use of public funds during presidential tours, although it remains unclear whether the government is covering the expenses of the political leaders he identified.