In his reaction to the report of the Local Government Commission of Inquiry and the government White paper on it, the leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party Ousainu Darboe has questioned the timing and selective nature of the White paper, accusing government of giving preferential treatment to culprits associated with them while going after the opposition.
Speaking at a rally over the weekend Darboe disclosed that the very act of releasing the White paper just a few days before the nomination of presidential candidates is a calculated move to target KMC mayor Talib Bensouda, leader of the opposition Coalition 2026, in particular and the opposition at large by portraying them in a negative image for political gains.
Darboe questioned why former Brikama Area Council Chairman Sheriffo Sonko who is an ally of the governing NPP, evades full accountability for his actions after allegedly misappropriating D30 million from Council funds.
”The White Paper only asked the Public Service Commission (PSC) to review Sonko’s fitness to continue holding public office, while in the cases of Talib Bensouda and Banjul mayor Rohey Malick Lowe, the Local Government Service Commission and General Council were asked to initiate and carry out their removal from office.This means that what the government did was to go after our chairpersons and mayors like Landing Sanneh , Foday Danjo , Rokey Malick Lowe and others,” Darboe said.
The UDP leader noted that government started fighting Talib Bensouda since when he was in the UDP and is continuing that war against him even now.
“Yes we agree that the law should take course on whoever is found to have committed a wrongful act but if you look at Talib’s case, he is due for nomination in the coming days and the government is coming out today wanting to ban him. Is there any justice in that?” he said.
According to the UDP leader this LG Commission was set up to target the UDP led councils.
“Just imagine someone like Sheriffo Sonko who deliberately messed up millions of tax payers’ funds in excess of D30 million paying it as Salibo bonuses getting away with just a whitewash by the government. Is that justice?” Darboe asked.
Darboe said this and many other reasons is why Gambians need to vote out ‘this unfair government’ and vote for a UDP led government where every Gambian will be treated equally.
Meanwhile apart from Darboe’s’ personal admonition of the whitepaper, the UDP as a party too came out with a statement on the matter alleging selective application of accountability against opposition-affiliated local government officials
“Coming so close to the December 5 presidential election, the timing of these measures raises serious concerns about political persecution and the use of state institutions to target political opponents.
The UDP supports accountability and the proper management of public resources. However, justice must never be selective or used as a political weapon,” he party said.
