Two leaders of the pro-Barrow Gambia for 5 Year Peace Building Movement have defected to the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP).

Abdou Willan, the assistant secretary general and Omar Sanyang, the national youth president of the movement, said they joined the UDP because “the President Barrow administration is not going in the right direction”.

The duo told the UDP executives and supporters at the party’s political bureau in Manjai that they were happy to join the party. 

“With all the series of political activities in the Gambia there is no political party where one can find my name. But today I’m a member of the UDP,” Mr Willan said. 

He dismissed claims that he was bribed to join the UDP, adding “no person has ever even used money to join the UDP.

“Why should I be paid to do a service for a place where I belong? I belong to the UDP. I came on board because I believe that we all should give the Gambia the best of the futures.

Omar Sanyan, former national president for  5 Year Peace Building Movement, said: “today, I have declared myself a UDP child forever.

Ousainou Darboe, leader and secretary general of the UDP, said the defection of the two senior officials to the party was “a major political decision”, adding that “the decision will earn them a place in the history of the country.

“In fact, you are earning yourselves a greater place in the country because you are coming to join the rest of the patriotic Gambians who are going to usher a new political dispensation that will take into consideration the view expressed by the majority of the Gambian people.”

Momodou Sabally, the senior UDP official behind the defection said he would not put pressure on any youth to join his party but he would make a case as to why they should the UDP.