The leader of the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), Mama Kandeh, has attacked QTV, accusing the privately-owned television station of being biased in favour of President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party (NPP).

Addressing GDC supporters in Kiti, Kandeh alleged that QTV refused to air parts of his comments where he questioned the government’s decision to issue national identity cards to Gambians in Mauritania and Gabon, two countries that are not part of the ECOWAS regional bloc.

“I said it on QTV, but they refused to air that part of my remarks because QTV appears to be NPP more than it acts as an independent television station,” he said

The GDC leader accused the government of playing politics with national documents, saying immigration officers had been sent abroad to issue ID cards while Gambians at home wait months to receive theirs.

“The Gambia has an ambassador in Mauritania, but what is the sense of issuing ID cards to Gambians there when those cards will not be recognised? They also went to Gabon, which is equally not part of ECOWAS. Meanwhile, Gambians at home struggle for months to get theirs,” he added.

Mr Kandeh questioned the motive behind the process, suggesting it might be politically driven to favour the ruling party ahead of future elections.

As of the time of filing this report, QTV management has not responded to the allegations.

By Adama Makasuba