Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Seedy Njie has launched a fierce attack on the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) after its youth wing staged a massive march against the government’s plan to issue ID cards to Gambians living abroad.

The lawmaker, who doubles as deputy spokesman for President Adama Barrow’s ruling National People’s Party (NPP), didn’t hold back as he accused the UDP of trying to “handpick who they feel is a Gambian and who is not.”

Speaking at a lively football tournament in rural Gambia, where Barrow’s party handed out jerseys, balls, cooking pots and 40,000 dalasis in cash, Njie turned the spotlight on the opposition.

He blasted the UDP for “insulting and ridiculing people” and told cheering supporters that Gambians must reject them at the ballot box.

“They want to divide Gambians,” he said. “But the NPP believes in peace, development and equal rights. We will never allow them to decide who is Gambian and who is not.”

The UDP, however, said the controversial diaspora ID scheme is unlawful. Its youth wing mobilised crowds in protest, chanting that the government was undermining national laws and demanding that the programme be halted immediately.

But Njie dismissed their concerns as political games.

“The 2026 election will be a defining moment,” he declared.

“A moment when Gambians must choose between hope and progress, or those who insult, belittle and ridicule people.”

His remarks drew applause from supporters at the football event, as he spoke.

Critics, however, condemned the party’s distribution of cash and materials as political bait.

Still, Njie doubled down, defending the government’s move to extend national documents to the diaspora.

“We believe Gambians abroad have the same rights as Gambians at home to be issued national documents,” he said.

He added that: “We have heard that they are protesting against overseas ID card issuance. That shows the difference between them and us. The NPP is the solution for this country. And God forbid, if they ever come to power, they will divide us by deciding who is Gambian and who is not.”

By Adama Makasuba