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National People's Party (The Gambia)

National People's Party
AbbreviationNPP
PresidentAdama Barrow
ChairmanDembo Bojang
FounderAdama Barrow
Founded31 December 2019 (2019-12-31)
Split fromUnited Democratic Party
Political positionCentre
National Assembly
22 / 58
Website
www.npp.gm

The National People's Party is a Gambian political party centred around the leadership of the incumbent President of the Gambia, Adama Barrow.

History

The NPP was founded on 31 December 2019 by Adama Barrow amidst internal turmoil within Coalition 2016.[1][2] Relations had deteriorated between Barrow and his former party, the United Democratic Party (UDP). In 2019, Barrow dismissed UDP party leader Ousainou Darboe as his Vice President following disagreements. Darboe refused to support Barrow's re-election campaign for the 2021 election, instead launching his own.[3]

Dou Sano, a presidential adviser, told the press that the "National People’s Party is here for all Gambians, it is here to wipe the tears of Gambians by solving the problems of Gambians."[4] Reaction to the creation of the party was varied. Many supporters of Barrow have commented that Barrow legally had every right to found a party and run for-election, whilst others have argued that doing so was a betrayal of the Coalition 2016 agenda. Proponents of the latter view have protested, noting in particular the Barrow pledged to serve no longer than three years.[5]

Barrow ultimately won re-election in 2021. In the 2022 parliamentary elections, the NPP won most seats. It then formed a coalition with the National Reconciliation Party and, controversially, the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction.

Governance

The NPP was registered with the Independent Electoral Commission on 31 December 2019. Barrow is both the party leader and Secretary General.[3]

Electoral history

Presidential elections

Election Candidate Votes % Result
2021 Adama Barrow 457,519 53.23% Elected Green tickY

National Assembly elections

Election Leader Votes % Seats +/– Position Government
2022 Adama Barrow 143,826 29.19%
18 / 53
Increase 18 Increase 1st Coalition
(NPP-NRP-APRC)

References

  1. ^ "President Barrow registers his new political party as he eyes a second term". Gambiana. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  2. ^ Hoije, Katarina (1 January 2020). "Gambian President Forms New Party In Possible Re-Election Bid". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Gambia president launches own party after rift with ruling coalition". Africa News. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  4. ^ Manneh, Kebba Ansu (2 January 2020). ""National People's Party Is Here for All"". The Chronicle. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  5. ^ Jaiteh, Abdul Karim (7 January 2020). "Public React To President Barrow's National People's Party". The Voice. Retrieved 2 June 2020.