𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 - Hon. M C Gibba

Gunjuronline.com
1 day ago
2 min read

The recent assertion that the APRC government under former President Yahya Jammeh merely “faked” development projects to attract votes is not only unfortunate, but also deeply insulting to the intelligence and lived experiences of Gambians. No well-meaning citizen can simply ignore such reckless statements.

It appears the President is either desperately struggling to communicate a convincing message to the Gambian people or deliberately attempting to mislead and manipulate the minds of ordinary citizens for political convenience. This dangerous rhetoric has become repetitive — constantly claiming that his government, within a few years, has achieved more development than the combined tenures of his two predecessors. What kind of political gymnastics is this?

President Adama Barrow seems determined to denounce every effort and sacrifice that contributed to his rise to power, behaving like a “lion killer” who has suddenly forgotten the hunters that stood behind him. He once described the Gambian diaspora as “the tail of a goat,” and has repeatedly made similar unpresidential and divisive remarks against opposition leaders and political stakeholders in this country.

What the President often forgets is that there is life after the presidency, and that today’s opposition can easily become tomorrow’s government. Leadership demands humility, restraint, and respect for national history — not arrogance and political amnesia.

However, the APRC leadership and supporters must also understand that what goes around truly comes around. It was the same APRC that spent years portraying the First President of the Republic, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara (RIP), as weak, wasteful, and ineffective. They deliberately downplayed and dismissed the tremendous contributions and development achievements recorded during his administration simply because it suited their political narrative at the time.

What an irony today.

The APRC cannot now cry foul when similar dismissive politics are directed at them. They willingly entered into political arrangements and alliances that empowered the very leadership they now complain about. They approached and convinced President Barrow to expel UDP officials from government in pursuit of political survival and relevance.

Therefore, APRC executives should remain calm and reflect carefully before making noise about betrayal and disrespect. Politics is full of lessons, and this is one of them.

The same President they supported seized their properties, sidelined their party, and even turned against their own leader. So the question remains: what exactly do they now have to tell honest Gambians?

WHO IS FOOLING WHO?

Hon. Councillor Momodou Charreh Gibba - Gunjur Ward