By Seedy Jobe
Ebrima Nyang, Administrative Secretary I of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), has criticized President Adama Barrow over comments suggesting that Team First Lady would outperform several smaller political parties if it were to contest an election, arguing that the president’s remarks undermine members of his own political alliance.
In a statement issued hours after President Barrow’s remarks in Jamburr, Nyang contended that the comments were directed less at the opposition than at the smaller parties aligned with the ruling National People’s Party (NPP).
He argued that several parties within the governing alliance lack nationwide organizational structures, regional offices, and functioning executive bodies, making them heavily dependent on the NPP for political relevance.
“These parties that are part of your alliance have no structure nationwide, no regional office nationwide, no proper executives, and are surely on life support by the NPP party,” Nyang said.
Nyang maintained that it was inconsistent for the president to criticize smaller political parties while continuing to work alongside parties he described as inactive within his own coalition.
He urged President Barrow to exercise greater restraint in his public remarks, saying such statements risk undermining political cooperation and disappointing many Gambians.
The GDC official added that he respects all registered political parties regardless of their electoral strength and noted that several parties currently aligned with the NPP were among those that supported President Barrow during the 2016 political coalition that brought him to power.
Nyang called on the president to treat his alliance partners with respect, or, if they no longer have a place in the coalition, allow them to leave “with dignity.”
He also suggested that if President Barrow believes his administration’s record has been sufficiently successful, he should consider allowing First Lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow to contest the 2026 presidential election.
Concluding his statement, Nyang accused the president of diminishing public confidence in the country’s democratic culture through his public comments.
“You need guidelines because your utterances are nothing but a mockery to our nation and an insult to our democracy,” he said.
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