President Adama Barrow has called on opposition politicians to join the ruling National People’s Party (NPP)-led Grand Alliance, saying those who genuinely want to see The Gambia develop should work with his government.

He made the appeal at State House while receiving the WAREF political movement, led by Modou Lamin Bah, whose leadership and supporters joined the NPP Grand Alliance.

Addressing the gathering, President Barrow said the country would continue to make progress and would not return to its past, urging opposition figures who shared his vision for national development to join his political camp.

He cited developments in road infrastructure, electricity, schools and hospitals as evidence of his administration’s work, arguing that investment in these areas demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of Gambians.

“Someone who has brought monumental developments like roads infrastructure, electricity, built schools and hospitals, then you know that person is doing a good work,” he said.

The President further urged opposition politicians to reconsider their political positions rather than spend their time and resources campaigning against his administration.

He specifically mentioned Modou Lamin Bah, Mama Kandeh, Professor Sidat Yaffa and National Assembly Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta as examples of political figures who had joined him.

“I want you to be like Modou Lamin Bah, Mama Kandeh, Professor Yaffa, Honourable Fabakary Tombong Jatta and others,” Barrow said.

He assured those considering joining the Grand Alliance that they would not regret their decision.

Turning to his forthcoming nomination, scheduled for November 10, Barrow called on supporters to make the occasion a historic one through a massive turnout.

He predicted that the expected crowd would be so large that there could be a shortage of vehicles to transport supporters to the nomination venue.

The WAREF movement’s entry adds to the political alliances supporting Barrow ahead of the December 5 presidential election.

By Adama Makasuba