Bakary K. Badjie, the National Assembly member for Foni Bintang, has refuted claims by exiled former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh that he is a puppet of a European following his announcement to run for the president’s office in the 2026 elections.

Mr Badjie, one of the five lawmakers who came into office under an independent ticket supporting Jammeh, was expelled by the same Jammeh for announcing his intention to run for the presidency. Jammeh stated that Badjie acted unilaterally, branding the young lawmaker “unpatriotic”.

In Jammeh’s dramatic expulsion audio, he alleged that: “I know he has a white man friend who made it clear that this guy would be the next president of The Gambia. [The] European said it.”

In response, Mr Badjie rejected Jammeh’s claims, asserting that the country needs a vibrant young Pan African who would develop the country.

“So, I reject the idea of me being a puppet to anybody. I am not aware of any white man supporting me to be the president of the country,” he said, refuting Jammeh’s claim of being backed by a European.

“The only way forward for this country is for us to vote for a young pan African who has the energy and can stand for what he believes in and who will not be a puppet that will be twist-and-turn,” he added.

By Adama Makasuba