Africa-Press – Gambia. Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security Minister Demba Sabally on Saturday launched a sharp attack on senior opposition figures, including Brikama Area Council Chairman Yankuba Darboe and United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainu Darboe, while dismissing ongoing opposition coalition discussions as unworkable.
Speaking at the National People’s Party (NPP) mega rally in Brikama, West Coast Region, Sabally also brushed aside the national debate over presidential term limits, declaring that supporters of President Adama Barrow are already looking beyond a potential third term.
Addressing party supporters, Sabally said the NPP’s political ambitions extend far beyond the current electoral cycle.
“They are talking about a third term. We in the NPP, what we are thinking of for Barrow today is Barrow’s fourth term, Barrow’s fifth term, Barrow’s sixth term, or even Barrow’s tenth term. That is what we are thinking today,” he said.
The minister accused critics of applying double standards on the issue of presidential tenure, questioning why similar concerns were not raised during the administration of former President Yahya Jammeh.
“Those saying no to a third term today were here when Yahya Jammeh was in power. Why didn’t we ever hear even one of them say no to a third term then?” he asked.
Sabally reiterated that President Barrow remains the NPP’s candidate for the December 5 presidential election.“Your Excellency is our candidate. That is who we are going to put forward as our candidate on 5th December,” he told supporters.
Turning his attention to local governance in the West Coast Region, Sabally criticized the leadership of the Brikama Area Council and apologized to residents for what he described as poor management of public markets.
“On behalf of West Coast, we are apologizing. The reason is that in the last election, we elected a chairman for the West Coast here, a chairman who does no work, only talks. West Coast markets have more insects than all other markets. In The Gambia, West Coast markets smell more than all other markets,” he said.
Sabally also dismissed efforts by opposition parties to forge a coalition ahead of the elections, arguing that big political differences would prevent any meaningful alliance from succeeding.
Using a local proverb, he likened the coalition talks to an impossible partnership.
“These days I hear they are in coalition talks. When the wind and rain are blowing, goats and sheep share a house. But no matter how big the wind of rain is, a snake and cats do not share the same house. So those who are in coalition talks, no matter how big the wind of rain is, they can never enter the same house,” he said.
The minister further alleged that opposition figures were motivated by personal ambition and only became politically vocal after President Barrow came to power.
“They are people who, since President Barrow freed this country, have the time and the courage to come back here and talk. Today, they beat their chest, saying they are more educated than everyone and wealthier than everyone. But when this country was in difficulty, their education and wealth made them tie their tails and hide under the bed,” he said.
Sabally reserved some of his strongest criticism for UDP leader Ousainu Darboe, whom he accused of being envious of President Barrow.
“I heard that Ousainou Darboe is angry. True, he’s angry, and he’s old, but they don’t tell one thing about him: that is, he’s so jealous. When Ousainou Darboe was going to Salikeni, they went and rented the same Cadillac vehicle, all that just to be like President Barrow. Ousainou Darboe, even if President Barrow lends you his car, you cannot be like President Barrow,” Sabally said.
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