By Makutu Manneh
Seedy Njie, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Deputy Spokesperson of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), says his party is consolidating its political base as divisions within the opposition continue to deepen ahead of December’s presidential election.
Speaking in an interview on QTV, Njie argued that while the United Democratic Party (UDP) and breakaway opposition groups, including UNITE and the National Unity Party (NUP) led by Lamin J. Darboe, remain preoccupied with internal disputes and public criticism of one another, the NPP has focused on building alliances and expanding its support.
According to Njie, the ruling party has already secured the support of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), which he described as the country’s third-largest political party, adding that discussions with other political groups are ongoing.
“We are not worried about whether UDP or UNITE succeeds in uniting the opposition. Remember, in 2021, UNITE, NUP, and UDP were one bloc, and we defeated them woefully. Now they are fragmented into three, maybe even four or five political parties. In fact, they are more worried today than ever before,” Njie said.
He argued that the fragmentation has weakened the UDP’s position as the country’s leading opposition party and created significant internal divisions.
Using the analogy of a giant tree that has lost much of its structure, Njie said the opposition’s splintering has worked to the NPP’s advantage, claiming that the ruling party’s support has steadily expanded over the past five years.
He attributed that growth to what he described as the public’s confidence in the NPP as a serious governing party under President Adama Barrow, whom he said remains committed to the country’s development agenda.
Looking ahead to the December election, Njie said he believes voters will judge the NPP based on its record in maintaining peace and stability, advancing infrastructure, improving socio-economic conditions, and providing what he described as responsible leadership.
He concluded by inviting Gambians to join the National People’s Party, saying the party remains open to welcoming additional political partners as campaigning intensifies ahead of the presidential vote.
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