By Landing Ceesay
The Special Adviser to His Excellency President Adama Barrow on Political Affairs, Hon. Saihou Mballow, asserted that the ban imposed on Momodou Sabally by the Janneh Commission is widely recognized as an act of “revenge.”
Speaking during the formal introduction of Sabally to the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), Mballow emphasized that Sabally, a former Secretary General and Presidential affairs official, held crucial positions in the country.
According to Mballow, the ban was rooted in revenge, and he urged Gambians to recognize Sabally’s right to contribute to the country. Expressing the end of the game and the joy of the youth, Mballow highlighted Sabally’s significance in the nation, emphasizing his educational background and wealth of knowledge.
“Momodou Sabally worked in this country as Secretary General of this country. Apart from that, he was a Secretary responsible for Presidential affairs. That’s a very important position in the country. People know the reasons Momodou Sabally was banned by the Janneh Commission. It was revenge that is why he was banned, this is something we all know. I will not get far on that commission. What I want Gambians to know is that Momodou Sabally has the right to work for this country.
“From today, the game is over, and the youths are happy. Momodou Sabally is a very important person in this country. Momodou Sabally’s biography and political history is something I must say a bit for people to know. Momodou Sabally is not a small person in this country. Because that’s what he did and that’s what Allah did. Nobody can dispute that Momodou Sabally is educated, and his head is loaded with knowledge,” Hon Mballow said.
Momodou Sabally, previously the Campaign Manager for the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), made a formal switch to the NPP. The unveiling ceremony at the NPP’s Bureau in Churchill Town witnessed the presence of party executives and a large gathering of supporters.
Mballow defended Sabally, stating that he had not committed any crimes, including murder or involvement in corrupt practices. He highlighted that no corruption commission had found Sabally guilty, emphasizing his right to work in the country.
Addressing Sabally directly, Mballow encouraged him to consider NPP as his own party, asserting equality among party members and the absence of tribalism or nepotism within the party.
“Momodou Sabally has a right to work in this country. From today, I want Momodou Sabally to take NPP as his own party. Nobody is better than Momodou Sabally in NPP. Saihou Mballow is not better than you in NPP, President Adama Barrow is not better than you in NPP, Suku Singhateh is not better than you in NPP, Demba Sabally is not better than you in NPP, we are all equal. The party is a Democratic Party. The NPP does not know tribalism, the party does not know nepotism. The party is a party of democrats,” Hon. Mballow stated.
The NPP executives reiterated their party’s inclusive open-door policy, welcoming individuals who wish to join the party during the event.