By Alieu Ceesay
The opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) has announced plans to sue Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Seedy Njie, following what the party describes as defamatory remarks made during a recent appearance on West Coast Radio. The UDP claims Njie accused them of deploying militias during the last presidential election to prevent non-Mandinka voters from obtaining voter cards in The Gambia.
At a press conference held on Saturday, Lamin Manneh, the UDP’s Secretary for Administration and Foreign Relations, condemned Njie’s statements, labeling them baseless and damaging to the party’s reputation. Manneh revealed that the UDP has already engaged its legal team to pursue a case against the deputy speaker, demanding he substantiate his claims in court.
“Seedy Njie accused our party of having militias intimidating people in this country. We are going to sue him to produce evidence for these allegations,” Manneh declared. “Who does Seedy Njie think he is? He must prove his claims or face the consequences.”
The UDP alleges that Njie’s remarks are part of a broader strategy by the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) to tarnish their image, intimidate their supporters, and undermine their chances in the upcoming 2026 elections. Manneh accused the NPP of resorting to smear tactics out of fear of losing power, asserting that the days of rigging elections or intimidating voters are over.
“They know they cannot win elections. They cannot buy or rig them anymore, and they cannot intimidate people into voting for them,” Manneh said. “In 2026, we will win, and win big. We will go to the State House and hold them accountable before the courts.”
The opposition party has issued an ultimatum to Njie, offering him the opportunity to retract his statements and issue a public apology to avoid legal action. As of now, no legal fees have been specified, and the UDP is awaiting Njie’s response before proceeding further. Njie, a prominent figure in the NPP and deputy speaker of the National Assembly, has yet to comment on the matter.
The UDP’s threat of legal action has heightened political tensions in The Gambia as the country gears up for what is expected to be a fiercely contested election in 2026. The party’s leadership remains confident in its growing support base, emphasizing that it will not tolerate attempts to discredit or destabilize its campaign.
Political analysts suggest this legal battle could set a significant precedent for how political rhetoric is handled in The Gambia, particularly as the nation navigates its democratic transition. The UDP’s move signals a broader push to hold public officials accountable for their statements, especially in the lead-up to critical elections.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on Njie’s response and whether the UDP follows through with its threat to take the matter to court. For now, the opposition remains steadfast, vowing to protect its reputation and secure its path to victory in 2026.
