Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Mbemba Drammeh, a Gambian resident in France, has been arrested after claiming in an interview with a Gambian news portal that he possessed evidence of how President Adama Barrow and his National People’s Party (NPP) rigged the 2021 presidential election. According to reports reaching The Standard, Drammeh is being held at the Farato Police Station. Authorities have yet to confirm whether charges have been filed against him or when he might appear in court.

The allegations, described as serious and incendiary, prompted a strong reaction from the NPP. Seedy Njie, the party’s deputy spokesman, issued a statement condemning Drammeh’s claims as “baseless and defamatory.”

“The NPP expresses profound shock and dismay over the baseless and defamatory allegations made by one Mbemba Drammeh, who claims to be a former supporter of the party,” Njie wrote. “These claims represent the pinnacle of falsehood, delusion, and malicious fabrication.”

Njie emphasized the integrity of the 2021 presidential election, stating that it was a landmark moment in The Gambia’s democratic journey, praised by both local and international observers for its transparency and fairness. He further challenged Drammeh to provide credible evidence, including identifying the seven individuals allegedly involved in the purported rigging.

“Should he fail to do so,” Njie added, “it will only reaffirm the baseless and malicious nature of his accusations. Furthermore, failure to provide credible evidence may expose him to potential legal consequences under the laws of The Gambia.”

Drammeh’s arrest follows a controversial past as a former vocal supporter of the NPP.

Earlier this year, he told The Standard that he was quitting the party due to dissatisfaction with the Barrow administration’s performance, which he described as marked by corruption and mismanagement.

“I have no personal problem with anybody, and nobody influenced my decision,” Drammeh said in October. “I made this decision to resign from the NPP after pondering over the current issues confronting us as a nation. I believe I should take a back seat and give myself time to rethink.”

Despite his departure from the party, Drammeh’s prior actions have drawn public scrutiny. In 2021, during his time as an NPP supporter, he released an audio message on social media offering a reward for the assassination of United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainou Darboe, further fueling controversy around his political affiliations.

As of now, the circumstances surrounding Drammeh’s arrest and the potential charges remain unclear. The NPP has reiterated its stance, dismissing his allegations as unfounded and reaffirming its commitment to democratic principles.

Source: Standard Newspaper