Elder statesman Pa Njie ‘Girigara’ has publicly advised President Adama Barrow, urging the head of state to return land he described as state property in Fajara. Mr. Njie ‘Girigara’, a known vocal supporter of President Adama Barrow, stated that the President's mistake involved appropriating state land for a retirement mansion. He emphasized that President Barrow committed a fundamental mistake since assuming office in 2017 by taking state land and building a mansion for his retirement. “Your sycophantic supporters will tell you I do not honour and respect you. I do not need anything from you and you have not done anything for me,” Pa Njie ‘Girigara’ said in his public address to the President. He further advised, “You don’t appropriate [such] state land because no Gambian, whatever his status, will be allocated that land. Restitute the land back to the state.” He emphasized that relinquishing the land would rectify a mistake. Njie ‘Girigara’ stressed that returning the land and any structures built on it would be a key step in correcting what he views as a significant misjudgment.
Njie's Strong Rebuke
Pa Njie ‘Girigara’ asserted that President Adama Barrow is prioritizing personal gain, claiming the President has made numerous decisions for his own benefit. He noted that President Barrow is doing a lot for himself, a point he views with concern. He underlined that the President committed a fundamental mistake since assuming office in 2017, specifically referencing the land acquisition. Njie emphasized that human beings are fallible and that ample land is available across The Gambia where the President could construct a private residence. He stated that people err and there are lands all over The Gambia where the President can build a home without controversy. He further stated that this particular issue regarding the Fajara land is the sole aspect of President Barrow's actions he cannot defend, especially with elections drawing nearer. Njie's comments underline his belief that the land appropriation represents a significant misstep that undermines public trust and could have implications as the electoral period approaches.
Context of Barrow's Tenure
Pa Njie ‘Girigara’ is known as a vocal supporter of President Adama Barrow. President Barrow assumed office in 2017. Njie ‘Girigara’ has previously defended the President's actions, often speaking in support of his administration's decisions. However, his recent comments indicate a clear divergence on the issue of the Fajara land, marking a notable shift in his public stance. This public admonition from a long-time ally notes the seriousness with which Njie ‘Girigara’ views the President's actions concerning the state land. His advice comes from a position of historical support, making his critique particularly impactful.
The Specific Allegation
Pa Njie ‘Girigara’ released an audio recording over the weekend detailing his concerns regarding President Adama Barrow’s land acquisition. In the recording, Njie advised President Barrow to return the land and any structures built on it to the state. He asserted that relinquishing the land and the mansion would constitute rectifying a significant mistake. Njie further claimed that President Barrow possesses ample financial resources, stating that businessmen like himself provide the President with money. He emphasized that the President has the "wherewithal" to acquire land through appropriate means, suggesting there is no need for such an appropriation. Njie ‘Girigara’ reiterated that giving up the land and mansion would be rectifying a mistake, a key action for the President to undertake. He stressed that the President has the financial capacity to purchase property legitimately, making the use of state land for a personal residence particularly egregious in his view.