A heated debate erupted in the National Assembly on Monday as lawmakers clashed over the controversial 2024 Draft Constitution, with several MPs voicing strong opposition and questioning the legitimacy of the process.

Hon. Sulayman Saho, Member for Central Badibou, criticised the bill, arguing the process lacked transparency and inclusivity.

“We all want Gambia to have a new constitution, but the number one person who owes the Gambian people the responsibility is the president of the Republic,” he said.

“We cannot support this because the process was not democratic.”

Other MPs echoed similar concerns. Independent MP for Foni Kansala, Almameh Gibba, was blunt in his dismissal of the draft.

“My people told me, this draft must be buried 40ft deep,” he declared.

Independent MP Omar Jammeh, representing Janjanbureh, also expressed frustration at what he described as partisan handling of the bill by the Ministry of Justice.

“There was no instance that the minority and majority caucuses were brought together to discuss as a family,” Jammeh said.

 “Ministers are advising only the majority, as if it’s business as usual with a simple majority. This time, it’s different.”

Hon. Yahya Gassama, Member for Kiang East, added that the draft failed to reflect the true aspirations of the Gambian people.

“Should anything happen to me before a vote is taken, please account for my vote as one of those who said no to this,” he said, in a dramatic statement to the Assembly.

Despite the strong opposition, some MPs voiced support for the draft, pointing to key reforms within the document.

Hon. Alieu Baldeh, NPP Member for Jarra West, highlighted the bill’s commitment to increasing female representation in governance.

“We need women representatives in governance and it’s in this bill. When this bill is passed, we will have more women representatives,” he said.

However, divisions within the chamber were further deepened by fiery rhetoric from other members.

Hon. Bakary K. Badjie, Independent MP for Foni Bintang, claimed the day would be remembered in Gambian history.

“We are against this draft Constitution and we are against it. Today, we will attain victory that will go down in history.”

In a rebuke of his fellow lawmakers, NPP Member for Wuli West, Hon. Nfamara Sabally, expressed disappointment over what he saw as resistance to progress.

“Sometimes I think I am in the wrong country,” he said. “It is a disgrace and it’s disappointing.”

Opposition figures, including Hon. Yahya Sanyang of the UDP, called for a return to the previously rejected 2020 Draft Constitution as a basis for negotiation.

“We the opposition are ready to negotiate, but we can only negotiate around the 2020 Draft,” he said.

By Adama Makasuba