Africa-Press – Gambia. The Minister of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, has accused Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda of using both the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the municipality as stepping stones to advance his presidential ambitions.
Speaking in an interview with Fatu Network, Dr. Ceesay claimed that Mr. Bensouda’s involvement in the UDP and his leadership of KMC were driven solely by his desire to position himself for national office.
“He uses KM and the UDP as a stepping stone to get to the presidency,” Dr. Ceesay alleged. “He has never wanted to become mayor of KM; that has never been his intention. His intention has always been the presidency. It was low-hanging fruit for him that if I go to KM, UDP backs me, I will become mayor, and after that, I will PR and seek the presidency. That is what he did.”
Dr. Ceesay further asserted that Mr. Bensouda lacked genuine commitment to either the UDP or the Kanifing Municipality. “He has never loved the UDP, he has never loved KMC, and he has never thought of helping,” he added.
He further alleged that Talib Bensouda invested substantial financial resources in pursuit of the United Democratic Party (UDP) flagbearer position, claiming Bensouda sought to secure the nomination through monetary influence. Dr. Ceesay asserted that President Barrow and other political figures had contributed far more to the UDP, yet Bensouda expected the party to award him the flagbearership because of his financial contributions.
“Because of the 3 million that you spent, they had to give you the flagbearership. It means he wanted to buy the Flagbearer ship for 3 million; that is why he spent it with his family, and when they refused to give him the position, he left the party,” he said.
Dr. Ceesay also criticized Bensouda’s performance as Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), arguing that development in the municipality had deteriorated under his leadership.
“That is why KM is dirtier now than ever, and the women of KM are suffering more now than ever, and the maker vendors are suffering. Because when we give him KM, if his heart and mind are at the development of KM, then KM would have been transformed by now,” he said.
He further contended that Bensouda lacks the experience and credibility required to lead the country, insisting that Gambians need a seasoned and steady leader like President Barrow to maintain national stability.
“Talib did not do anything that would make people trust him and give him the country. Because he is a child who has no experience in how to lead the country. In this age, we need an adult who can take the country and give us stability. Somebody who is mature and has been working in the government and can give us stability is President Barrow,” he said.
Dr. Ceesay added that Bensouda has been preoccupied with his presidential ambitions, which he claims have hindered development in the municipality. He described Bensouda’s initiatives as politically motivated rather than genuinely intended to serve residents.
“In the past years, all his mind has been on how to become the president, all his energy and his plan. That is why KM is not developed, and somebody like that, we are not going to give him the country. Every project that he initiates is political and the government doesn’t play politics with people’s lives,” he stated.
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