Gambiaj.com – (TALLINDING) – The leader of The Gambia’s main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), Ousainu Darboe, has launched a scathing attack on the government, attributing what he described as ‘massive government corruption’ to the ruling National People’s Party (NPP)’s alliance with the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) party.
Addressing supporters at a rally on Friday in Tallinding Kunjang, where the UDP executive claimed that hundreds of defectors from different political parties were welcomed, Darboe accused the former ruling APRC of being “Experts in destruction and corruption, infecting the NPP, which chose to work with them.” He also made mockery of GPDP, claiming that party exists only by name.
Darboe criticized the current government for failing to address the needs of the people, citing the example of the ferry service. He stated that many people from Nuimi could not attend his rally because there was no ferry to cross them. Darboe compared the current ferry services to those during Jammeh’s time, saying that despite issues with Yahya Jammeh’s regime, the ferry services were better then.
Regarding the controversial D40 million media contract given to some media houses to ‘popularize government agenda and achievements’, Darboe said the contract means the government is paying the media to generate positive reporting about them because they are “no more popular.”
Darboe also criticized Minister Hamat Bah for defending the licensing of preachers, a stance Bah had criticized when they were fighting against Jammeh. Darboe called on Bah to apologize to Gambians for his comments.
On road clearing, Darboe said he has no problem with the government clearing roads but believes they should have considered people’s livelihoods. He suggested that the government should ensure future structures are properly erected, but current ones should be left untouched.
Darboe’s comments highlight the growing tension between the opposition and the government ahead of the upcoming elections, with the opposition accusing the government of corruption and failure to address the needs of the people.
