Talib Bensouda’s relinquishing of the UDP organising secretary role appears to be diminishing his growth in popularity in the Upper River Region (URR) of The Gambia as 12 groups from across the region, which adopted him as an honorary father, ditched him recently.
The Kanifing Municipality mayor has been enjoying some grassroots support during his stint as the UDP organising secretary, but the young mayor has been quickly falling out of favour with many of his grassroots supporters following his disengagement from his position in the Gambia’s largest opposition party.
There are all indications that Bensouda’s photo will be on the ballot box when Gambians return to the polls next year to elect their president.
However, in what could be described as a massive setback to his presidential ambition, groups that adopted him as an honorary father, have started distancing themselves from him.
The UDP regional chairperson for North Bank Region (NBR) Alhaji Sainey Sabally has recently issued an emphatic call on UDP regional, ward and constituency chairpersons to work towards ensuring that all Talib-affiliated groups in the UDP declare their abandonment of the Kanifing Municipality mayor and, in a transparent manner by naming their groups and group leaders.
Now, it would appear Chairman Sabally’s call has started to be heeded as constituency and ward chairpersons recently gathered in URR to announce the names and leaders of groups that dumped Bensouda as honorary father.
The following Bensouda-affiliated women and youth-led groups from across the URR have all turned their backs to the KM mayor: A group in Fatako village in Jimara led by Kaddyjatou Dibba-Sey, a group from Bakadaji led by Mama Drammeh, Kantora Jawo Kunda, which adopted Talib’s ally Malick Sowe as honorary father, Taibatou Nyodema Kafoo in Wuli West led by Kabbanding Sillah, UDP One Love Kafoo led by Mamud Sillah, a group in Banni village in Kantora led by Fanta Sanyang, a group in Nyakoi Kerewan led by Jankeh Juwara, Kantora women’s group led by Mariama Touray from Keneba village, Njaayel village Kafoo in Tumana, Wuli Bantunding youth association,Talib Kafoo in Sandu Dasilameh led by Fatoumatta Janko and Demba Jima group.
Meanwhile, this development could be a morale dampener in the Talib camp as the young mayor has yet to give a clearer picture of his political direction.
