By Alieu Ceesay
A dispute over the confiscation of an Alkalo’s official stamp in Nyangen village, Central River Region (CRR), has escalated into a national debate on governance, the rule of law, and political neutrality in The Gambia.
The Unite Movement for Change has strongly condemned the incident involving Baboucarr Nyang, the Alkalo of Nyangen, describing the governor’s action as unlawful, politically motivated, and a blatant abuse of power.
At a press conference, Unite spokesperson Kemo Bojang framed the matter as far bigger than partisan politics. “This is a national issue and not a Unite issue,” he declared, insisting that due process must be upheld regardless of anyone’s political affiliation.
According to Unite’s account, the Alkalo was summoned through the Chief of Niani and instructed to appear before the Governor’s office in the Central River Region with his official stamp. Upon arrival, Governor Ousman Bah allegedly seized the stamp, accusing the village head of allowing it to be used for opposition activities linked to his son’s involvement with the Unite Movement for Change.
Bojang described the governor’s remarks as “reckless, dangerous, and entirely inconsistent with democratic norms,” particularly the alleged comparison of the situation to “handing a sword to an enemy.”
The party defended the delegation of stamping duties to the Alkalo’s son as a practical and common arrangement, citing the elderly village head’s advanced age and limited mobility. “The Alkalo is present, active, and supported by his family within the village,” Bojang maintained, rejecting any suggestion that the Alkalo had become inactive or absent.
Following the seizure, Unite dispatched senior members to engage the governor directly. Bojang said their reception was “dismissive and unbecoming of a public servant.” The delegation was reportedly kept waiting for nearly 30 minutes, only to be told that had the governor known the purpose of their visit, he would not have granted them an audience.
The matter was subsequently referred to the Minister of Local Government and Lands, Ahmad Bah, who convened a meeting with senior officials. Unite welcomed the minister’s engagement and expressed gratitude for his openness. Bojang noted that the minister himself acknowledged the governor lacked the authority to seize an Alkalo’s stamp without following proper procedure.
“We wish to sincerely thank the minister for his efforts to find a constructive and lawful resolution,” Bojang stated.
Unite has portrayed the incident as part of a broader pattern in which public officials allegedly blur the lines between state authority and partisan interests. The party highlighted what it called a “glaring contradiction”: punishing an Alkalo over a perceived opposition link while public officials are reportedly encouraged to campaign openly for the ruling party.
“This double standard is not only unjust, but it also strikes at the heart of electoral fairness,” Bojang said.
The opposition movement has demanded the immediate return of the stamp, an independent investigation into the governor’s conduct, and wider reforms to bolster institutional accountability and ensure electoral neutrality. Bojang warned that public office must never be used as a tool of political intimidation and revealed that Unite is considering legal action.
“We have a legal team that can look into this because it is unlawful,” he added.
Bojang sought to broaden the appeal beyond party lines, referencing recent reports of political tensions and violence. “This is not about Unite, this is not about the UDP or the GDC,” he said. “This is about making sure there is no impunity in public service and that the laws of the country are respected.”
The controversy has drawn wider attention, with civil society groups such as Gambia Participates and the Elections Watch Committee also condemning the seizure, warning of potential risks to voter rights during ongoing registration processes.
The government has pushed back, stating that the stamp was withdrawn after the Alkalo admitted entrusting it to his son, to safeguard administrative neutrality. Officials have emphasized that official instruments belong to the state and community, not individuals, and announced plans to appoint an impartial custodian while the matter is reviewed.
Unite has vowed to pursue all lawful avenues to resolve the dispute, positioning the issue as a defense of democratic norms rather than narrow political gain. Observers will be watching closely to see how authorities balance tradition, legality, and fairness in the resolution.
