By Kebba Ansu Manneh
In a thunderous show of grassroots loyalty, Chief Momodou “Chatty” Cham of Upper Nuimi District declared on Friday that every Alkalo across Nuimi and Jokadu is fully mobilized to deliver President Adama Barrow an unprecedented landslide in the December 5, 2026, presidential election.
Speaking at the colourful inauguration of the long-awaited Hakalang Road Project in Juffureh, Chief Chatty Cham told a jubilant crowd that more than 150 village heads, together with their youths, women, and Yai Compins, have formed an unbreakable campaign machine for the incumbent.
“There are fifty Alkalos in Upper Nuimi, over sixty in Lower Nuimi, and more than forty in Jokadu. Every single one of them, plus thousands of energetic youths and women, is ready to hit the ground running to return you to State House,” Chief Cham proclaimed, pointing directly at President Barrow, who sat beaming on the dais.
The chief described the gathering as “just a preview” of the massive turnout Barrow will receive in 2026, insisting the people of the three Nuimi districts remain eternally grateful for finally ending decades of neglect.
“For years, we suffered. Farmers lost their crops, traders lost money, and pregnant women had to deliver on donkey carts because no vehicles could pass. Both Sir Dawda Jawara and Yahya Jammeh promised this road and failed us. Only President Barrow kept his word,” he said, triggering prolonged applause.
Chief Cham vowed that the only way the people can repay Barrow is through the ballot box. “Mr President, we cannot pay you for this road. Only Allah can reward you. But come 2026, we will give you a historic victory never seen before in this country as our own token of gratitude.”
He revealed that Alkalos have already begun door-to-door sensitization, and youth brigades are preparing campaign materials across the constituencies.
Turning to future needs, the Upper Nuimi chief appealed to President Barrow to extend a similar infrastructure revolution to other critical links. “We beg you to look at Bakalarr to Kerr Mama, Jurunku to Ndungu Kebbeh, and Jurunku via Prince to Kerr Ardo. Fix these roads and the entire North Bank will become your permanent fortress,” he pleaded.
In a passionate closing, Chief Chatty Cham urged Gambians to reduce harsh criticism of the President. “As Muslims, our religion forbids insulting or bad-mouthing our leaders. Let us criticize constructively but never forget the good deeds,” he cautioned.
The Hakalang Road Project, currently under construction, spans Upper and Lower Nuimi, extending into Jokadu and providing year-round accessibility to dozens of villages for the first time. Residents who walked miles to reach the ceremony danced and sang Barrow’s praises, with many wearing NPP colours and waving branded banners.
Political observers say Friday’s rally has sent a strong signal that President Barrow enjoys rock-solid support in the former UDP strongholds of North Bank, potentially neutralizing opposition strongmen in the region ahead of the 2026 contest.
With exactly one year to the polls, the unified voice of Nuimi’s traditional leaders has set the tone: gratitude will be repaid in votes, and the Hakalang Road has become the symbol of Barrow’s unbreakable bond with rural Gambia.
