The Commission of Inquiry into Local Government Councils has peeled back a troubling layer of The Gambia’s democratic fabric.
From inflated procurement deals to mismanaged funds, the revelations—particularly those involving the Banjul City Council under Mayoress Rohey Malick Lowe—demand public reckoning. And yet, the political response from the United Democratic Party (UDP) has been nothing but silence.
This silence is not incidental. It is strategic, selective, and morally hollow.
The UDP’s media apparatus has long positioned itself as a vigilant watchdog against corruption—sharply critiquing the Barrow administration for its failings, real or perceived. But when allegations fall within its own ranks, the watchdog turns away, its bark muted by partisan self-preservation.
This contradiction should disturb every Gambian who believes in fairness and justice. Accountability cannot be tribal. It cannot be reserved for the opposition while excusing allies. Corruption is corrosion—whether it wears yellow, green, or blue.
The public has a right to ask:
• Where is the internal inquiry from UDP leadership?
• Why are the usual voices for justice suddenly quiet?
• Has loyalty replaced conscience?
What we are witnessing is not merely political maneuvering—it is a moral failure. Selective outrage dismantles the very integrity civic movements are built upon. When corruption is weaponized only against opponents, the fight for justice becomes a partisan tool, not a national principle.
Accountability cannot be tribal. It cannot be reserved for the opposition while excusing allies. Corruption is corrosion—whether it wears yellow, green, or blue.
This moment calls for courage—not calculation. The Gambia deserves a civic culture where truth is not filtered through party lenses, and leadership means standing on principle even when your own are implicated.
If the UDP is serious about reform, it must prove that justice is not just a slogan—but a standard. Otherwise, it becomes another party that preaches integrity and practices impunity.
