Seedy Njie, deputy speaker of the National Assembly has ignited political controversy after labelling the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) a “tribalist cult”, alleging the party has been discouraging the issuance of voter cards to certain citizens.

Speaking to West Coast Radio, Mr Njie, who is also a senior official in the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), claimed that UDP members were going from “village to village” warning against granting voter cards to Gambians perceived to have foreign roots.

“We know which party is rooted in tribalism,” he said. “the party that has gone to villages and towns across The Gambia, claiming that people from Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal should not be issued voter cards. That party is the United Democratic Party. They can best be described as a tribalist cult.”

His remarks have drawn strong reactions from across the political spectrum, with some UDP members urging the party to consider legal action over what they described as a defamatory statement.

He went on to accuse the UDP of promoting double standards and divisive rhetoric, referencing alleged recent events involving members of the Mandinka ethnic group, though without providing details.

In contrast, he praised President Adama Barrow’s government as inclusive and committed to national unity and development.

“In 2026, they [UDP] will be defeated woefully. At the National People’s Party, we believe in social democracy. We believe in the rule of law, tolerance, patience, and inclusivity,” he said.

“We choose peace, hope, good governance, and progress, as opposed to intimidation, ridicule, violence, and tribalism.”

He also rejected comparisons made between the UDP and NPP as politically equivalent, calling such claims “misleading, if not criminal”.

Njie defended the current administration’s anti-corruption stance, claiming it respects due process.

He also pointed to the controversial failure of the 2020 draft constitution, blaming the opposition.

“It was the United Democratic Party that killed the 2020 draft constitution. Any claim that the National People’s Party was responsible is false, as NPP did not even exist at that time,” he said.

He accused the UDP of only pushing for constitutional changes that would favour its leader, Ousainou Darboe.

“They had an absolute majority and could have reformed the Public Order Act and electoral laws, but they chose not to. The only law they saw fit to change was the age limit, to favour Darboe’s candidacy.”

By Adama Makasuba