The National People’s Party (NPP) has rejected claims by the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) that President Adama Barrow’s recent comments during his visit to Jarra West were divisive.

The NPP accused the UDP of deliberately misrepresenting the President’s message, which was meant to promote unity, not division.

“The President’s message was about inclusivity and national unity,” Seedy SK Njie, deputy spokesperson for the NPP said.

“To suggest he was sowing discord is misleading and harmful.”

 The NPP stressed that Barrow, as a proud Mandinka, would never insult his own ethnic group or any other. Instead, his comments were focused on ensuring all communities benefit from national progress.

The UDP had accused Barrow of referring to some communities as “personal enemies”, but the NPP called these claims “baseless”. 

“President Barrow’s leadership is rooted in fairness and inclusivity,” Njie emphasised.

The NPP also rejected the UDP’s attempt to draw comparisons between Barrow’s leadership and the divisive rhetoric of past regimes, calling it a “misleading” tactic to undermine national unity.

In closing, the NPP urged all political actors to prioritize national development over partisan politics.

“We must focus on issues like poverty alleviation and job creation, not allow political tensions to distract us,” Njie said.

By Adama Makasuba