UDP Youth Leader Accuses Barrow of Being ‘Power Hungry,’ Rejects President’s Criticism of Opposition

By Seedy Jobe

Hagi Suwaneh, the national youth president of the United Democratic Party, has sharply criticized President Adama Barrow over his recent remarks about opposition politicians, accusing the president himself of pursuing power and personal wealth.

Suwaneh was responding to comments Barrow made in Gunjur, where the president cautioned residents against politicians he accused of seeking the presidency for power and financial gain, saying such leaders could ultimately “enslave” Gambians.

In a statement shared with Kerr Fatou on Monday, Suwaneh questioned Barrow’s standing to criticize politicians for what he described as a hunger for power and money. His statement included a series of personal attacks on the president, as well as allegations about Barrow’s record in office.

Suwaneh pointed to Barrow’s decision to remain in office beyond the three-year transition period he initially pledged after the 2016 election. He said Barrow later argued that he needed to complete the constitutionally prescribed five-year presidential term while the Constitutional Review Commission worked on a new constitution.

Suwaneh also criticized Barrow over the failure of the 2020 draft constitution, saying more than D116 million had been spent on the constitutional review process before the draft was rejected.

He alleged that Barrow opposed the draft because its presidential term-limit provisions could have affected his ability to seek additional terms, characterizing the episode as evidence of what he called the president’s desire to remain in power.

Suwaneh further recalled Barrow’s previous statements supporting presidential term limits and argued that his decision to seek another term contradicted those earlier commitments. He also referred to remarks attributed to Barrow about his son potentially entering politics after his presidency.

Turning to the president’s finances, Suwaneh accused Barrow of using his office to enrich himself. He alleged that the president’s monthly salary had increased from D250,000 to more than D500,000 and raised questions about more than D20 million he said was unaccounted for from the sale of Megabank.

Suwaneh also accused Barrow of improperly obtaining state land for the construction of a multimillion-dalasi retirement residence, arguing that such an allocation would conflict with legal restrictions governing public officials and state land.

Citing Section 68(4)(b) and (c) of the 1997 Constitution and the presidential oath contained in its second schedule, Suwaneh argued that a president is prohibited from engaging in activities that conflict with the responsibilities of the office or from using the position for personal enrichment.

He also cited provisions of the State Lands Regulations that he said restrict government land allocations to people who already own multiple properties. Suwaneh referred to Barrow’s 2021 asset declaration, which he said listed properties in Yarambamba, Taf Gardens, Kanifing, Tallinding, Tujereng, Jambur and Mankamankunda.

Suwaneh also criticized legislation concerning benefits for former presidents, arguing that the proposed pension and other benefits were excessive. He said the measure would provide a former president with a pension equivalent to 80 percent of the salary of a sitting president.

The UDP youth leader also rejected Barrow’s criticism of parties joining opposition alliances, including the president’s characterization of some as small or little-known.

Suwaneh recalled that Barrow himself was relatively unknown nationally before he was selected to lead the opposition coalition in the 2016 presidential election. He argued that Barrow’s limited public profile at the time did not prevent him from defeating former President Yahya Jammeh.

He also sought to turn Barrow’s criticism against the president’s own National People’s Party alliance, naming the Gambia Moral Congress, Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress, Citizens’ Alliance and Gambia Democratic Congress. Suwaneh claimed those parties had limited support and had lost some grassroots supporters to the UDP and other opposition groups.

Suwaneh went on to criticize the government’s handling of the economy and public services, pointing to rising commodity prices, shortages of medicines in health facilities and persistent problems with electricity and water supplies. He also accused the administration of failing to adequately address the concerns of farmers.

“Corruption is rampant and wild like a bushfire,” Suwaneh said, alleging that some government officials had accumulated expensive homes and vehicles while many Gambians continued to struggle financially.

Suwaneh concluded by saying the UDP was preparing to announce another addition to its opposition alliance. Pointing to recent political rallies in Allunhareh, Foni and Kotu, he claimed that growing opposition activity reflected dissatisfaction with Barrow’s government.

He argued that criticism of the president was driven not by personal hostility but by concerns over governance, corruption and Barrow’s continued pursuit of political office.