As the former president, Yahya Jammeh hailed from Foni, it was not surprising that it was his power base while he was in office.
In fact, when it came to National Assembly Elections, most times, candidates sponsored by him or his APRC party almost always went unopposed.
It was therefore not surprising that in 2016, he swept the polls in Foni, one of the few places he did well. As was expected, they were the ones also who found it hard to accept his defeat and ultimate exit. This was so palpable that the Coalition candidate and his people did not bother to hold meetings there during the run-up to the 2016 election.
Since the new government came into office, the people of Foni have staunchly remained loyal to former president Yahya Jammeh and did not shy away from publicly proclaiming it. They have made it clear that they are fully behind the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC).
Lately, however, the sitting president, Mr Adama Barrow seems to be warming up to the people of Foni and they to him, or so it seems. During the current leg of his Meet the People Tour, he held a meeting there which was reportedly attended by a large number of people. He was even seen shaking hands with the Interim Leader of the APRC party, Fabakary Tombong Jatta.
This has raised speculation that if and when President Barrow forms his own political party he may likely go into a coalition with the former ruling party APRC.
Considering that the new constitution envisages an absolute majority in the coming elections, it would indeed be helpful for any party that is able to form alliances with one or more parties in the country.
This also goes to show that in politics, there are no permanent enemies or permanent friends. The only thing that is constant is aligned interests. So, if the interests align, any party or parties can, and may, come together to form a coalition.
