Hon. Hamat Bah, Minister Of Local Government and Lands
By Makutu Manneh
Hamat N.K. Bah, the Minister of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs and leader of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), said his relationship with President Adama Barrow is now “smoother than ever,” dismissing speculation of tensions between the two men.
Mr. Bah made the remarks at a political rally in Saloum, where he emphasized that his working relationship with the president remains strong and collaborative.
“My relationship with Adama Barrow is smoother today than ever before. That is not a secret to anyone. He knows it and I know it because we are working together,” he said.
The NRP was part of the opposition coalition that brought Mr. Barrow to power in 2016, ending the 22-year rule of former President Yahya Jammeh. Since then, Mr. Bah has remained a key figure in the administration, first serving as minister of tourism and culture before assuming his current post.
At the rally, Mr. Bah reiterated that the NRP’s candidate for the Dec. 5 presidential election is President Barrow, saying he would not compromise the mutual respect between himself and the president.
He added, however, that cooperation did not preclude honesty, noting that he would speak out if he believed issues needed to be addressed. He called for unity, mutual respect, and transparency in their work, stressing the importance of keeping one another informed.
Mr. Bah also reminded supporters that every citizen has a constitutional right to seek the presidency, urging tolerance toward political aspirants campaigning in local communities.
“If presidential aspirants come to your villages, you have the right to listen to them or stay in your homes,” he said. “There is no need for argument.”
He urged citizens to respect all candidates while remaining clear about their own political choices and to avoid unnecessary confrontations.
“There is no need for argument. I am urging you to give everybody respect but know who you want and what you want to do and do not get involved in arguments,” he said.
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