President Adama Barrow has renewed his attacks on his critics in the diaspora calling them poor and jobless people who struggled to make ends meet.

Barrow told a rally in Brikama that the diaspora opposition are peopled by “opportunists and hypocrites” who turned against him after he refused to give them jobs. 

“These people in the diaspora talking don’t even have what to eat. They don’t also even have a chicken house in The Gambia here. 

“It is those parties who put money together and take it to them in order for them to be there talking nonsense talk just to sow discord among Gambians. These are the people who do not work.

“Those who have jobs are not into maligning Gambia and nonsense talk. These people support Gambia. But those people whom you know some came to look for a job from me and did not get it and went and became opposition.”

The president, who is seeking a second term, has recently up the ante as the country gears for one of the most contested presidential election next week. 

Barrow said some of his critics including senior opposition figures don’t complain when he offered privileges to them including diplomatic passports for their travels. 

He said: “A lot of them are hypocrites. They are travelling on diplomatic passport and it’s me who gave it to them. Because I realised they are Gambians and are responsible people and are also party leaders. 

“But all their travel, they go character-assassinate Gambia and myself. I am a man of peace and I want peace for this country and anyone who is a man of peace should join me to build this country.”