Presidential Adviser Henry Gomez has attacked the opposition, accusing them of being more interested in undermining President Adama Barrow than acknowledging what he described as the government’s development achievements.

Speaking in Jeshwang, Gomez said opposition parties in The Gambia were not simply opposed to President Barrow, but were opposed to seeing the country make progress under his leadership.

“These opposition we have in this country hate The Gambia, but not Adama Barrow,” Gomez said.

His remarks come as the country’s political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the December 5 presidential election, with President Barrow seeking another term in office.

Gomez, one of the president’s senior political supporters, said the opposition had consistently refused to recognise what he described as the visible changes brought about by the Barrow administration.

“Because they hate to see the development in this country,” he said.

The presidential adviser did not specify which opposition parties he was referring to, but his comments come at a time when several opposition groupings are positioning themselves as alternatives to Barrow ahead of the election.

Gomez argued that the president’s performance should be judged by what has been delivered on the ground rather than by political criticism.

“What Adama Barrow has to do in this country, he has done it and everyone can see it,” he said.

His defence of the president comes amid an increasingly competitive political environment, with opposition leaders highlighting concerns over the cost of living, unemployment, electricity, security and other challenges facing Gambians.

Barrow’s supporters, however, have continued to point to government investments in roads, electricity, agriculture, health, water infrastructure and other development projects as evidence of the administration’s record.

Gomez’s comments appear to form part of that broader defence of the government, as the ruling NPP seeks to convince voters that Barrow’s record merits another term.

The opposition, meanwhile, has been seeking to capitalise on public dissatisfaction and present a change in leadership as necessary for the country’s future.

Gomez rejected the suggestion that the government’s achievements should be overshadowed by political criticism, insisting that the development he attributed to Barrow is visible to ordinary Gambians.

For him, the coming election will therefore be a contest not only between political parties and candidates, but also over competing assessments of the Barrow administration’s record.

By Adama Makasuba