Seedy Njie, the deputy speaker of the National Assembly and senior member, has condemned United Democratic Party for putting up a candidate closely related to the ruling National People’s Party’s candidate in Kiang Massembeh ward by-election, branding it as forbidden by religion.

Njie, who recently visited Massembeh, appealed to village elders to intervene and persuade UDP candidate Bakary Jarju to withdraw from the race against Lamin Jarju, who is running for the NPP. He argued that the two men are blood relatives.

The statement has sparked backlash from UDP supporters, who have launched a social media campaign against Njie for his comments.

Speaking to Kerr Fatou, Njie defended his position, saying he had never seen such political rivalry anywhere in the world.

 “Based on the political history I learnt, I have never seen two blood brothers going against each other in an election in the whole world. The Gambia is a religious nation and religious wise, it’s illegal for two people of the same blood to go head to head in an election. Because religion gives you a duty to protect your neighbour,” he said.

According to him, Lamin Jarju’s father paid the school fees of Bakary Jarju, whose mother he said was related to Lamin’s father.

He also urged the community’s elders to help resolved this matter by convincing UDP’s candidate to withdraw his bid for the post

He added: “If elders of Massembe sit and allow this to go unresolved, it can cause division.”

By Adama Makasuba