By Fatou Sillah
A leaked audio recording published by the online platform What’s On – Gambia appears to capture the deputy spokesperson of the ruling National People’s Party claiming involvement in key public sector appointments and dismissals, reigniting concerns about political interference and partisanship in state institutions.
In the recording, which What’s On – Gambia says documents a private meeting, Seedy Njie, who also serves as deputy speaker of the National Assembly, is heard speaking with Omar Jallow and a group of elders from Niamina, including Mr. Jallow’s father.
During the conversation, Mr. Njie appears to take credit for blocking the appointment of Abubacarr Darboe as director general of the Gambia Radio and Television Services. He also suggests that he opposed the promotion of Ousman Ceesay to permanent secretary at the Office of the Vice President.
At one point, Mr. Njie is heard saying, “I made sure it happened,” in reference to Mr. Darboe’s removal. He then describes discussions with a government minister and later with the president, claiming he urged the president to reverse the appointment because Mr. Darboe was a critic of President Adama Barrow.
Mr. Njie also reportedly told those present that the president “agreed without hesitation” after he alleged that the minister had misled him about Mr. Darboe’s political loyalties.
The audio further captures Mr. Njie questioning Mr. Ceesay’s ethnic background and suggesting that he would oppose his advancement because of alleged ties to the United Democratic Party, the main opposition party. At one point, he asks whether Mr. Ceesay is Mandinka, though the relevance of the question is not made clear in the recording.
In another part of the exchange, Mr. Njie said he would seek the dismissal of the deputy permanent secretary, whom he described as a sympathizer of the opposition, and said he would raise the matter directly with the president.
Mr. Jallow, for his part, does not appear to endorse the claims and at times distances himself from the political characterizations, saying he could not confirm whether Mr. Darboe or Mr. Ceesay were affiliated with any political party.
The authenticity of the recording has not been independently verified, and there has been no immediate public response from Mr. Njie or the government.
The leaked remarks are likely to deepen scrutiny of the role of political considerations in public sector appointments in The Gambia, where concerns over governance, transparency, and institutional independence have remained central to public debate in recent years.
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