The National People’s Party (NPP) National Youth Leader and adviser to President Adama Barrow, Momodou Sabally, has launched a sharp criticism of Mayor Talib Bensouda, questioning his record on basic service delivery and municipal leadership.

Speaking at a gathering in Bakau, Sabally accused the mayor of failing to meet expectations despite years in office, particularly in areas such as sanitation and infrastructure maintenance.

“He could not clean your gutters. Do you think he can govern this country?” he said, drawing cheers from supporters.

Sabally said residents had been promised improvements that had not materialised, arguing that local governance should be judged by visible results rather than political rhetoric.

He also claimed that poor service delivery in Bakau reflected wider weaknesses in opposition-led councils, and urged young people to focus on performance rather than political loyalty.

Sabally said he had previously supported Mr Bensouda’s re-election bid but now believed that decision was a mistake, citing what he described as lack of progress in the municipality.

His comments form part of an increasingly heated political exchange between ruling party officials and opposition figures, with local government performance becoming a central issue in public debate.

By Adama Makasuba