By Buba Gagigo
Hon. Amie Colley, the National Assembly Member (NAM) for Foni Berefet, has called on her constituents to rally behind her following her recent decision to support what she describes as President Adama Barrow’s development agenda. Colley made the appeal just weeks after publicly declaring her allegiance to the president’s vision for national progress.
Addressing her constituents, Hon. Colley emphasized that her primary responsibility is to serve the people of Foni Berefet, not to uphold the interests of the “No to Alliance” movement.
“My responsibility in parliament is to the people of Foni Berefet, not to No to Alliance. I am in parliament because of you, the people of this constituency. If anyone truly desires the development of Foni Berefet, they should stand with me. If you genuinely love Foni Berefet, you should support me, just as you cherish your own children,” she said.
Speaking on the issue of former President Yahya Jammeh, Hon. Colley maintained that her respect and affection for Jammeh remain unmatched, but she questioned why Jammeh has remained silent regarding her support for President Barrow.
“I don’t think there is anyone in the No to Alliance who is in more frequent contact with Jammeh than I am. Yet, since I declared my support for President Barrow, Yahya Jammeh has not released a single audio message condemning me. When Bakary K. Badjie announced his party, and Jammeh immediately expelled him. So, those in No to Alliance who are insulting me should ask themselves why Jammeh has not reacted to my decision. Yahya Jammeh understands politics better than most people. He knows the appropriate processes to follow if he wishes to return to The Gambia—just as the late Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara did after his exile. We need to stop deceiving each other,” she asserted.
Hon. Colley also dismissed claims that foreign leaders, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, would play a role in facilitating Jammeh’s return to The Gambia.
“These claims are baseless. Nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the world. Every country operates under its own laws and sovereignty. I am not supporting President Barrow to bring Yahya Jammeh back—I am doing so to contribute to the development of this country,” she clarified.
She further responded to calls from some political figures advocating for a by-election in her constituency.
“Someone who my family supported significantly has released an audio suggesting that the people of Foni Berefet should call for a by-election. Let me remind you that I remain the sitting NAM for Foni Berefet. When the Speaker of the National Assembly convenes sessions, he does not call members by their political affiliations—be it No to Alliance, NPP, or UDP. We are addressed by our constituencies, and I am the National Assembly Member for Foni Berefet,” she stated.
Hon. Colley concluded by reaffirming her commitment to stand by President Barrow in the interest of the development of Foni Berefet and the welfare of its people, regardless of the challenges that may arise.