Seedy Njie Calls Opposition Coalition Talks a “Fatal Venture”

By Makutu Manneh

Seedy Njie, Deputy Spokesperson of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, has sharply criticized ongoing opposition coalition talks, declaring them a “fatal venture” and asserting that Gambians would not abandon President Adama Barrow in favor of the opposition.

Addressing party supporters at Farato Sotokoi Daru during an NPP gathering, Njie expressed confidence that the coalition discussions would ultimately collapse, claiming that the parties themselves were aware the initiative lacked a viable path forward.

“Gambians, ask them—ask Ousainu Darboe, Talib Bensouda, Essa Faal, Mama Kandeh, Kebba Madi, and No to Alliance—who is going to be their coalition flagbearer?” Njie challenged.

Njie further alleged that Mama Kandeh, leader of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), was seeking to align his party with the United Democratic Party (UDP), the largest opposition bloc, while characterizing the UDP as encompassing the Unite Movement for Change, APP-Sobeyaa, and the No to Alliance faction of the APRC.

He also claimed to have received information that wealthy UDP figures were orchestrating a financial campaign to poach members and voters from the GDC, Unite, and the NPP itself—an allegation he presented without providing supporting evidence.

Shifting to a defense of the administration, Njie praised President Barrow’s development agenda, arguing that the president was fundamentally transforming the country’s trajectory.

“In Africa, our problem since colonial days through independence has been legacy. President Barrow wants to be remembered 100 years from now as a president who changed the landscape of this country—who delivered 100 percent access to electricity and constructed roads and schools in every constituency,” he said.

The opposition coalition talks represent one of the most closely watched political developments ahead of the next general election cycle, as key opposition figures explore the possibility of fielding a unified candidate against the incumbent president.