Fabakary Tombong Jatta, speaker of the National Assembly, has said that political leaders harbouring “toxic political rhetoric” will make them lose votes.

FTJ, who is also the leader of APRC, made the comments at the second phase of the national dialogue among political party leaders currently happening at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre in Bijilo.

He welcomed the national dialogue to harmonise national efforts and collaborate for the preservation of the nation’s democracy and resources.

“As we engage in this dialogue to fortify our national solidarity, let us also remind ourselves of our rich cultural norm and religious tolerance and ethnic harmony which has historically bound us together while some have lamented few vocal among us whose lack of progressive political ideas transform them to intolerant activities resting to derogatory language and profanity to intimidate opponents,” he said.

“It’s essential to recognise that political leaders harbouring such elements in their ranks inadvertently repel voters rather than attract them. Regrettably, social media has been wheeled as a tool to propagate toxic political rhetoric which as mentioned earlier undermines the interests of perpetrators political parties rather than advancing their cause,” he added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba