Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has on Tuesday officially welcomed the Golden Era Party (GEP) and introduced Mr. Saikou Sawo as the party’s flagbearer for the 2026 Presidential Election.

Mr. Foday Singhateh, PPP’s Diaspora President said his party recently held a historic and forward-looking consultation meeting with the leadership of the Golden Era Movement, led by Mr. Saikou Sawo and Mrs. Nenneh Cheyacine Kebe.

Mr. Singhateh said this engagement followed a series of constructive consultations between the PPP Secretary General and the Party Leader, Hon. Ousman Madikay Faal.

“In keeping with the party’s long-standing tradition of inclusion, dialogue, and democratic practice, the Party Leader delegated a competent and representative team of party officials to engage the Golden Era leadership in open, respectful, and purposeful discussions aimed at strengthening national unity and building a credible, people-centered political alternative for The Gambia,” he told the Journalists at a press conference.

Mr. Singhateh asserted that this engagement resulted in the leadership of the Golden Era Movement formally joining the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), together with their followers, who are now recognized as bona fide members of the PPP.

 “Our coming together is not a merger, coalition, or alliance. Rather, it is a principled decision to unite under the banner, values, constitution, and policy framework of the People’s Progressive Party. Moving forward, Mr. Saikou Sawo, Mrs. Nenneh Cheyacine Kebe, and their entire support base will actively promote, defend, and market the PPP’s values, ideology, and policy positions to the Gambian people,” Mr. Singhateh made the official announcement.

Mr. Singhateh said the PPP platform is an issue-driven platform. He said they firmly believe that the Gambian people deserve serious, solutions-oriented politics that focuses on national challenges, development priorities, and the everyday realities of citizens—rather than personal attacks, insults, and divisive rhetoric that have increasingly characterized the country’s political discourse in recent times.

Mr. Singhateh further told Journalists that the PPP leadership firmly believes that Mr. Saikou Sawo and Mrs. Nenneh Cheyacine Kebe are patriotic citizens who genuinely have The Gambia at heart.

He said the PPP  is deeply proud of their ambition to serve the nation, their decision to return home, and their willingness to invest significantly—both in resources and ideas—to contribute meaningfully to national development and the well-being of the Gambian people.

“Most importantly, since they began engaging Gambians on political and national issues, Mr. Saikou Sawo and Mrs. Nenneh Cheyacine Kebe have consistently conducted themselves with civility, issue-based leadership, and deep respect for differing views. Their conduct reflects maturity, responsibility, and discipline, and aligns strongly with the PPP’s core values of tolerance, unity, and peaceful democratic engagement,” he said.

Mr. Singhateh also stated that Mr. Saikou Sawo is an aspiring presidential candidate, and the PPP warmly welcomes and encourages his aspiration. He said the party reaffirms that the Office of the Party Leader and Secretary General and the Office of the Presidential Flag Bearer are two distinct and independent offices, deliberately structured to safeguard internal democracy, fairness, and equal opportunity for all members.

Mr. Singhateh said the role of the Party Leader is to strengthen party institutions, protect internal democracy, and create an enabling environment in which every committed member can grow, lead, and aspire in accordance with the values and traditions of the PPP.

“In this spirit, the PPP leadership unequivocally commits to providing a level playing field, institutional support, and all necessary resources to Mr. Saikou Sawo, as the aspiring candidate for the position of PPP Presidential Flag Bearer, and—by the will of the Gambian people—to become President of the Republic in December 2026,” he said.

Mr. Singhateh said Mr. Saikou Sawo and Mrs. Nenneh Cheyacine Kebe, consideration of joining the PPP is not merely about today’s leadership. He said it is about the proud legacy of the party’s founding fathers, who worked tirelessly to unite The Gambia, safeguard national sovereignty, and build a peaceful and independent nation despite extremely limited resources.

Mr. Singhateh said that legacy of sacrifice, discipline, and patriotism remains the moral compass of the PPP today. He said the PPP recognizes Mr. Saikou Sawo as a competent, capable, and committed leader who is ready to serve the Gambian people with integrity, humility, and vision.

“The PPP is more than a political party—it is a national movement. It was the PPP that led The Gambia to independence, laying the foundations of peace, unity, and development. As rightly echoed by Mrs. Nenneh Cheyacine Kebe and Mr. Saikou Sawo, it is once again the responsibility of the PPP to lead the nation into a Golden Era. Today, united in purpose, the PPP stands ready to usher The Gambia into an affordable nation one defined by dignity, opportunity, accountable leadership, and shared prosperity for all,” he said.

Mr. Saikou Sawo Explains Reason For Joining PPP

 Mr. Saikou Sawo told the media that he has been engaging with various political party leaders, learning about their visions, structures, and commitments to national development.

Mr. Sawo said throughout this process, one party consistently occupied his thoughts, which is PPP and described it as the party of Independence.

“I was keenly looking for an opportunity to establish an official connection with the party. Fortunately, through my personal assistant, we were able to reach the National President of the PPP, Mr. Memba Nanko, who, without hesitation, shared the contact of our able, humble, and visionary Party Leader, Hon. Ousman Madikay Faal,” he explained.

Mr. Saw further stated that from the very first conversation, he felt at home. He said the warmth, sincerity, and passion for a better Gambia — and for the revival of the PPP – were deeply evident.

Mr. Sawo said their discussion flowed naturally, as though they  had known each other for many years. He described Ousman Madikay Faal as a young leader like himself who is deeply committed to democratic values and national service.

“I expressed our interest in working with the PPP, and without hesitation, I was told that the PPP has no barriers — once you join with sincerity, the sky is the limit. What inspired me most was the story of our Party Leader himself: how he joined the PPP as an ordinary member of the party, participated in its democratic internal processes, and ultimately defeated an incumbent leader to become the party leader. This is unprecedented in Gambian politics and speaks volume about PPP’s internal democracy,” he said.

According to Mr. Sawo, Hon. Ousman Madikay Faal further explained that within the PPP, the Flagbearer is not the same as the Secretary General or Party Leader, reinforcing the party’s commitment to institutional democracy.

Mr. Sawo said Mr. Faal assured him that anyone who joins the PPP with faith and commitment will receive full support to pursue their aspirations. He said the PPP Leader told him that his party accommodates all aspirations and guarantees growth for its members.

“Guided by this leadership, and with trust in the Executive of the PPP, I hereby formally join this great party with the aspiration to contest as its Flagbearer. We are fully committed to doing everything within our power to promote the PPP agenda, sell its vision to the Gambian people, and work under the core principles of the party to ensure victory in December 2026,” he declared.

Mr. Sawo further extended gratitude to Mrs. Nenneh Cheyassin, for her collaboration and to his entire team for taking this bold step together.

“The PPP is a party where every Gambian belongs,” Mr. Sawo told Journalists.