Dou Sanno, a senior adviser to President Adama Barrow and a leading figure within the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), has taken aim at United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainou Darboe over the management of funds raised in Europe, as controversy continues to trail the NPP’s D50 million women’s empowerment scheme.

Mr Sanno made the remarks while addressing supporters in Nima-Latrikunda, where residents publicly adopted him as a “father” during the gathering.

His comments come at a time when opposition parties have intensified criticism of the ruling party’s decision to set aside D50 million for an empowerment fund specifically targeting women affiliated with the NPP.

Critics have questioned the fairness of restricting the initiative to party members, arguing that public leadership should not promote programmes that appear to favour only supporters of the ruling party.

But Sanno, speaking in a blunt and combative tone, rejected the criticism and instead turned the spotlight on the UDP leader, claiming Darboe’s party has enjoyed access to financial support from Europe for decades without any visible impact on the lives of ordinary party followers.

According to him, if Darboe and the UDP were truly committed to women’s empowerment, they should have been able to establish similar support systems long ago, especially given what he described as “substantial” funding received since 1996.

“Why doesn’t he put this money together and help the women of UDP?” Sanno asked the crowd. “I am asking him, where did he put all this money coming from Europe? Who has he helped? I have never seen him help anyone. He doesn’t even support people.”

Sanno’s attack was not only aimed at the UDP’s leadership but also appeared designed to undermine the opposition’s credibility in the eyes of voters, particularly in urban communities where political competition remains tight.

He urged Gambians to be cautious about what he called opposition propaganda, claiming that people have previously followed opposition messaging only to regret their choices later.

“You previously listened and ended up electing the wrong chairman and National Assembly member, and till now, you are still struggling to get what you want,” he said.

He also used the platform to push the ruling party’s political message, encouraging citizens to remain loyal to President Barrow and the NPP, while highlighting government development projects.

He cited road construction, infrastructure expansion and rural electrification as some of the achievements he believes should guide voters in future elections.

He also directed part of his message at women, urging them to register and secure NPP membership cards, claiming that some women have already been making serious efforts to obtain them.

“I am urging the women to register and get their NPP membership cards,” he said. “Some women are sleeping in the bureaus to get these cards because there is a benefit.”

His statement is likely to further inflame political debate around the D50 million women’s fund, which has already become a new battleground between the ruling party and opposition groups.

While the NPP sees the initiative as a practical empowerment tool for its women supporters, critics argue it risks deepening political divisions and turning empowerment into a party reward system.

He, however, appeared unbothered by the backlash, insisting the opposition should first explain its own history of fundraising and internal support before questioning the NPP’s initiatives.

By Adama Makasuba