It is therefore considered that the game is over with the NPP winning four administrative areas - Basse URR, CRR North, CRR South, and Kerewan North Bank, while the UDP swept the polls in the urban areas of Banjul the capital, Kanifing Municipality, West Coast, and Lower River Region.
Political analysts believe that the ruling NPP failed to perform well in the urban areas because of the high cost of living being experienced by the people, especially as regards costs and prices of basic commodities, such as the 37% increment on electricity and water bills, rent hike, and high unemployment. Analysts also consider the wrong choice of candidates by the executive, among others, might have given rise to such an outcome for the NPP.
Mr President, many of the electorate voted for people of their choice and not on political affiliation because they believe those they voted for can serve their communities better.
Both the councillor and the mayoral and chairmanship elections were a test for your party and Government.
The top militants of your party should always inform you of what is going wrong in your government and how dissatisfied the people are; rather than giving you the impression that everything is bright and beautiful and that the situation is ok.
The results of the local government elections have signalled a clear message to you that more effort and work is needed from your government.
Mr President, as in sport so also in politics – that there must be a winner and a loser. The Gambian people have therefore spoken loudly in the ballot box, letting democracy triumph.
Mr President, it is time you took the challenge and engaged all winners in the political divide to work together. Your government with the elected officials, both from your party and the main opposition UDP, should come together and work for the betterment of all Gambians.
You should invite all the newly elected mayors and chairpersons and the minister of Local Government to come together in the spirit of national cohesion and chat a cordial roadmap of peace and unity so as to work for the development of the country.
Your government should endeavour to encouraging good initiatives and projects from the opposition, while the opposition too should always engage the central government in planning and in executing their duties. They should also show respect for members of the government and practise discussing national development issues with clarity for purposes of transparency and accountability.
Finally, Mr President, you are the President of all Gambians irrespective of political affiliations, tribe, religion or race. Politics should not divide us; thus it is your responsibility to address the issue of falling into the negativities of the political divide. Therefore you should speak and act as President for all.
Mr President, the following suggestions or recommendations may be considered in our political drive in The Gambia: since West Coast is the most populated region with the most electorate, it would be good to divide the region into 2 or 3 area councils.
The Gambia should also try to merge the councillor, mayoral and chairmanship elections to be held or conducted at the same time in order to save cost and time.
We should also guard against conducting or holding elections in Ramadan or Lent, and more sensitization should always be done for Local Government elections.
Mr President, now that normal elections are over or done away with till 2026, we would like to appeal to all political leaders, the media and Gambians to put politics aside and work together for the betterment of The Gambia our homeland.
Good day!