Mr Dodou Jah, the Deputy Spokesman of APRC speaks on his recent controversial visits to KMC Mayor, Bensouda.
Moments after images emerged on social media featuring Mr Jah and Bensouda, some UDP members renewed their criticism and accusation against the young mayor of being on the verge of forming his own party or to depose UDP leader, Ousainou Darboe who remains silent on his political future.
During an interview with Journalist Kebba Camara expected to be aired in the coming days, Spokesperson Jah said he is not a member of UDP but ready to support Bensouda in his current tenure and beyond.
“If I want to join UDP, I will go through Darboe, who shared a smooth relationship with me. I visited Bensouda to discuss issues with him and I am ready to support him. I am a politician and I cannot sit and wait for my political career to ruin. Bensouda always told me, he cannot force me to come into UDP but he is willing to work with me for the interest of the people. Now, I have made my mind to support Bensouda for the development of KM” Jah stated.
On his relationship with their alliance leader, President Barrow, the outspoken politician said his relationship with the President is not very cordial as it used to be initially.
“I am told that President is being informed by someone that I am planning to form my own political party in the country. This accusation against me has made President to have a second thought about me. so, I am not his cup of tea anymore. However, the message given to the President about me is false as i did not have any reason to form my own party. The number of political parties is enough for anyone to join if you are interested in politics before forming your own” he stated.
The young politician added that he is also aware that some ruling NPP members are not happy with him in the way and manner he answered questions during interfaces about their alliance with the ruling party and state of affairs.
“God forbid for me to lie. If I am asked anything in the media regarding our alliance with NPP and state of affairs i will answer the question as far as I know and I will never dodge a question on the pretext that I did not know while I actually do. I sacrificed a lot for the NPP-APRC alliance but I did not get what I deserved” he charged.
Mr Jah challenged all opposition political candidates to resign and avoid contesting if they want to unseat President Barrow in 2026.
“My opinion is if we want to win against President Barrow in 2026, none of the current party leaders can challenge him to victory. We need a new face in front of the opposition to unseat the incumbent. So, all the opposition leaders should resign if they want the opposition to unseat the President in 2026” Jah opined.
The former admirer of President Barrow, Dodou Jah said he is part of people who are working on a movement with other youths to replicate PASTEF’s history in the country.
“I am part of a movement which will come to light very soon. To win presidency in the country by opposition requires lot of sacrifices and commitment. We are currently doing our ground works and very soon things will come to light about our movement and plans” he stated.
As the saying goes, if you cannot beat the system then join the system. In the awake of the highly anticipated local government elections, Mr Jah opposed Bensouda for ruling party’s Badjie arguing he did not see any reasons why the former will not lose against the latter.
Unhappy seeing Bensouda with Dodou Jah, disgruntled UDP supporters reminded Jah of his rhetorics against Darboe before the 2021 Presidential polls during which he supported Barrow to deny Darboe the opportunity to rule the country.
Seeing Jah with Bensouda rekindled criticism that the Mayor may go solo if Darboe fails to give him the throne in 2026.