By Fatou Sillah
Bakary Y. Badjie, Minister of Youth and Sports, said this week that the political fortunes of Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council, are inseparable from the support of the United Democratic Party, arguing that the mayor would struggle to win elections without the party’s backing.
Mr. Badjie, who lost to Mr. Bensouda in the 2023 mayoral race, dismissed suggestions that the defeat had harmed his political career. Instead, he described the loss as an experience that opened new opportunities within the political arena.
“If I contest against Talib again, I will defeat him because there is no UDP to back him,” Mr. Badjie said. “Talib is nothing without UDP.”
Mr. Badjie also challenged Mr. Bensouda’s portrayal of himself as a victim of government interference during the 2023 campaign. He said that the mayor benefited from the support of several opposition parties and prominent political figures, undermining claims that the contest was unfair.
“The mayor likes to play a victim card, saying that the government was going against him, and he forgot that he was in coalition with GDC. Mama Kandeh and others came out to support him. Other parties like NUP and GAP backed him,” he said.
Reflecting on his defeat, Mr. Badjie said the outcome had not diminished his standing or ambitions. “Me losing the 2023 mayoral election has nothing to do with my political career as a person because the intention was to win, and if you don’t win, it doesn’t change anything. In fact, it gives me opportunities in the political circle,” he said.
He added that his decision to run in the 2023 mayoral election was made independently and was not directed by President Adama Barrow. According to Mr. Badjie, he was encouraged to contest by members of the ruling National People’s Party and other political groups.
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