By Fatou Sillah
Lamin K. Saidy, the presidential adviser on youth affairs, on Tuesday accused the United Democratic Party of portraying itself as a victim after losing elections, saying the tactic was aimed at gaining public sympathy rather than engaging voters with policies and programs.
Mr. Saidy made the remarks in his appearance on the Grand Bantaba with Kerr Fatou, responding to allegations by members of the opposition party that the ruling National People’s Party engaged in voter intimidation and other irregularities during the recent Bantanjang and Kaiaf ward by-elections.
“The UDP always plays the victim card to solicit sympathy from the public,” Mr. Saidy said. “That strategy is no longer working. People are tired of hearing claims of victimization. What they want to see are policies, programs, and development.”
He rejected the opposition’s claims of misconduct and urged party officials who believe electoral laws had been violated to pursue legal remedies instead of making public accusations.
“If anyone feels the rule of law has been abused, there are mechanisms for redress,” he said. “Those systems exist, and the UDP has used them before. They have taken the president and the government to court and have won cases. If they feel they were mistreated or cheated, they should seek redress through the courts.”
Mr. Saidy also criticized the opposition party’s response to unfavorable court rulings, accusing it of undermining the judiciary when decisions do not go its way.
“It is unfortunate that when they win a case, the courts are praised, but when they lose, they claim the judges are unfair and that the judiciary is compromised,” he said.
The presidential adviser described the outcomes of the Bantanjang and Kaiaf by-elections as a sign of growing public confidence in the ruling party.
“We see this victory as a vote of confidence,” he said. “In the communities we won, I can assure you that in 2026 we will double our support.”
Mr. Saidy again denied allegations of voter intimidation and other electoral violations, maintaining that the by-elections were conducted in accordance with the law.
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