By: Momodou Gagigo
In a seismic shift rippling through Gambia’s polarized political arena, a wave of opposition loyalists has abandoned their parties to swell the ranks of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP). The defections, announced amid fervent rallies in Bundung, signal growing disillusionment with opposition ranks and fervent admiration for President Adama Barrow’s stewardship. With the 2026 elections looming, this mass crossover, according to political analysts, will likely consolidate the incumbent’s power base, potentially reshaping the nation’s electoral calculus.
At the forefront of the exodus is the Bokahalat group, a grassroots network from Bundung boasting over 800 dedicated members. Led by Ajaratou Sukai Jallow, the group formally dissolved its ties to splintered opposition factions, including the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) and the United Democratic Party (UDP).
Jallow addressed a sea of supporters under a sweltering afternoon sun. “We are not just joining Barrow; we are ready to stand by him no matter the cost,” she proclaimed, drawing thunderous applause. For Jallow, the decision marks the culmination of months of soul-searching, driven by what she described as the NPP’s tangible progress in infrastructure and social welfare—achievements she claims her former allies have failed to match.
Echoing this fervor was Aja Fanta Mballow, Chairperson of the Progressive Gambian organization, who brought over 50 steadfast allies into the NPP fold.
Despite personal hardships—many in her contingent struggle to make ends meet—she rallied her supporters with a clarion call: full-throated backing for Barrow in the upcoming vote. “We’ve crossed the Rubicon. Now, it’s about building, not breaking.”
The NPP’s brass wasted no time in rolling out the welcome mat. Dou Sano, the party’s Organizing Secretary, hailed the influx as “timely and courageous,” lambasting the opposition’s “fading relevance.” With a grin that belied his sharp rhetoric, Sano declared, “Barrow is here to stay.”
He rattled off a litany of presidential triumphs: expanded access to electricity, bolstered healthcare, and agricultural reforms that have stabilized food security. “NPP is one big family, and you are all warmly welcomed,” Sano added, extending olive branches to the newcomers. “Their time in the opposition is over.”
Women emerged as a powerhouse in the day’s proceedings, with National Women Mobilizer Aja Maimuna Baldeh igniting the crowd’s passion.
Baldeh, who spearheaded a grueling six-month vetting process to ensure the defections were “clear and intentional,” vowed an all-out mobilization drive. “It’s a do-or-die situation,” she thundered, her words slicing through the humid air. Committing to recruit more defectors by December as a pledge to Barrow, Baldeh turned her fire on the opposition: “What has President Barrow done wrong to you?” With unyielding conviction, she asserted, “Barrow is here to lead until his time is up, and no one can stop him.”
The capstone of the defections came from President Adama Barrow himself, who addressed the gathering. The President, ever the unifier, struck a conciliatory yet firm tone. “My party welcomes all who possess a vision and a genuine desire to contribute to the nation’s development,” he said.
Reflecting on his tenure, Barrow touted irrefutable gains: “For the past eight years, we cannot object to the fact that the country has registered significant development under my leadership.” He urged NPP stalwarts to embrace the arrivals, advising, “Welcome them and always open doors for your new brothers and sisters to foster mutual understanding and effective development for all. Together, we believe we can build a brighter future for our country.”
Analysts see it as a barometer of Barrow’s enduring appeal, forged in the fires of post-Jammeh reconciliation and economic rebound. Yet, whispers of opportunism linger; opposition supporters reached late Wednesday decried the moves as “desertions born of patronage,” vowing to regroup.
