Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – In a significant political development, Ramzia Diab, a senior figure within the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) and former Ambassador of The Gambia to Malaysia, has defected to the ruling National People’s Party (NPP). The defection was confirmed after a closed-door meeting between Diab and President Adama Barrow, which was attended by Dr. Demba Sabally, the country’s Agriculture Minister and Deputy National President of NPP, along with Seedy Ceesay, NPP’s Administrative Secretary.
Ramzia Diab cited her desire to contribute to a “more unified and stable country” as her primary reason for the move. She expressed confidence in President Barrow’s leadership and stated that her skills and experience would be more effectively utilized within the NPP framework. “I am honored to be back,” Diab reportedly told the President, assuring him of her full support for NPP activities.
Diab’s defection has added to the ongoing wave of resignations from the UDP to join the ruling party, causing a significant stir within the opposition. While some UDP members have voiced their disappointment, others have questioned the motives behind her decision. Diab, however, remains resolute, expressing enthusiasm about contributing to the NPP’s agenda.
President Barrow warmly welcomed Diab into the NPP, reportedly telling her, “NPP is your home, and this is where you belong.”
A wave of UDP top profiles cross carpeting to NPP
This latest defection follows a pattern of high-profile departures from the UDP, marking a trend that has seen several of the opposition party’s top officials steadily jumping the yellow ship for the NPP grey horse. In December 2023, Momodou Sabally, the former Campaign Manager of the UDP, made headlines when he left the party for the NPP, a move that was widely regarded as a significant blow to the UDP.
Since then, the UDP has faced further defections, including Salifu Sonko, an executive member of the UDP youth diaspora, who stepped down from his role as Deputy Secretary-General for the diaspora.
Abdou Sowe, the National Assembly Member for Kombo East Constituency, also resigned from the UDP and joined the NPP.
Before him, Halimatou Sowe, a former member of the UDP’s national and regional executive committees, switched allegiance to the NPP after running unsuccessfully as a UDP candidate in the 2022 National Assembly elections.
These defections underscore a growing challenge for the UDP as it faces a steady erosion of its leadership and membership. The exodus to the NPP raises questions about the future of the opposition party and its ability to remain a viable alternative to the ruling government in The Gambia’s evolving political landscape.
