Saihou Mballow, Special Adviser to President Adama Barrow, has called on Gambians to focus on the realities of national development rather than political rhetoric, as he welcomed a group of youths from the United Democratic Party (UDP) who officially joined the National People’s Party (NPP) on Saturday.
Speaking at the NPP headquarters, Mballow urged Gambians not to be swayed by what he described as “deceptive narratives” from opposition parties. He said such messages are often driven by self-interest rather than the collective good of the nation.
“Do not listen to what the opposition is saying just to mislead you,” Mballow said. “President Barrow is a leader who delivers on his promises. This is not about politics—this is about facts on the ground.”
He pointed to what he called “unprecedented developments” under Barrow’s administration, including the expansion of road networks, electrification of rural areas, and the construction of modern health care facilities, some of which are now accessible in remote communities that had long been neglected.
“Communities that never imagined having a clinic now have functioning health centres. That’s real change people can feel,” he added.
The event marked the official defection of several youths from the UDP’s Bakau branch, who said they were drawn to the NPP by the development agenda of President Barrow.
Mballow reiterated that the country’s future should not be tied to political gamesmanship but grounded in the progress and stability that, according to him, the current government continues to deliver.
“We must put politics aside and look at what is being achieved for the country,” he said.
