Hamat Bah, the Minister of Lands, Local Government, and Religious Affairs, has stirred outrage in parliament after calling opposition critics “big mouth.”

Mr. Bah’s remarks were met with condemnation from lawmakers, many of whom were from opposition political parties and independent groups. They demanded that the minister withdraw his statement and apologise for his remarks.

During a question-and-answer session in parliament today, Mr. Bah was asked by the MP for Serekunda, Musa Cham, about the government’s response to roadsides being used as a marketplace despite daily revenue collection by local governments.

In response, Mr. Bah accused the opposition of launching a barrage of criticism against the Barrow government for clearing businesses from the roads.

“When the government embarked on clearing the roads, you, the opposition, were the big mouths going against this government, saying we were destroying businesses,” he told parliament.

As soon as he made the remarks, the chamber erupted into an uproar, with members protesting against his statement. Mr. Bah’s comments were condemned as “unparliamentary”.

The Member for Latrikunda, Yaya Menteng Sanyang, protested and demanded that the lands minister withdraw his statement, arguing that he had insulted the entire opposition. “He has insulted the whole country because my parents and I are all in the opposition,” he stated.

Despite the protests, Mr. Bah unapologetically justified his statement, clarifying that he was referring specifically to opposition critics of the Barrow government.

“I am referring to the opposition out there who are abusing our government for clearing the roads,” he insisted.

However, the Member for Central Baddibu, Sulayman Saho, raised a point of order, citing Provision 29 of the National Assembly Standing Orders, which prohibits the use of offensive and insulting language against members of the assembly.

“In response to the Honourable Minister of Lands and Local Government, it is wrong for him to call the opposition a ‘big mouth.’ It is impolite of him as a minister to address us in that manner,” he stated.

In his ruling, Deputy Speaker Seedy Njie, who was presiding in the absence of the Speaker, declared the matter a stalemate after the Member for Latrikunda Sabiji, Yaya Menteng Sanyang, questioned whether Mr. Bah would be happy to be called a “big mouth” himself.

Mr. Njie warned that it is out of order for both ministers and members to use offensive language against one another during parliamentary sessions.

By Adama Makasuba