On AG Radio’s “Voice of the People” Programme on Saturday night, Bun Dawda provided an in-depth analysis of the outrage caused by Seedy Njie’s growing political influence around the Barrow government and the anger caused by the claims of gross incompetence of the Gambian embassy in Madrid, Spain.
According to Bun Dawda, when you look closely at how President Adama Barrow has been reshaping his administration, one name keeps coming up—Seedy Njie. As Deputy Speaker and a key figure within the National People’s Party, his influence is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Bun Dawda asserted that several high-level appointments appear to point to a circle of power forming around Seedy Njie. This is a deliberate effort to place trusted figures in strategic positions—people who are loyal to him and will do anything to follow his orders.
“Take Alieu Njie, for example. His appointment as secretary to the cabinet and head of the civil service in November 2024 is widely considered one of the clearest signs of this influence. Before that, he built a reputation within the Ministry of Environment as a disciplined and technically sound administrator. His rise wasn’t accidental—it reflects a broader pattern,” he said.
Bun Dawda argued that similar developments are occurring within the police force. The elevation of Demba Sowe to Deputy Inspector General, following Momodou Sowe, suggests a level of continuity that many believe aligns with Seedy Njie’s strategic preferences—particularly when it comes to maintaining loyalty within the security sector. But it’s important to understand that the police force is not a one-man system. The Barrow administration is shaped by multiple centres of influence.
“You have the business wing, for instance. Figures like Seedy Keita at Finance and Njogu Bah at PURA are often linked to the influence of Muhammed Jah of QGroup, highlighting the growing role of business interests in shaping economic policy,” he stated.
According to Bun Dawda, there are institutional alliances in the country today. The appointment of Attorney General Dawda Jallow is widely associated with Yankuba Darboe of the Gambia Revenue Authority—pointing to a strong relationship between fiscal and legal power.
“And of course, there are personal ties. Buah Saidy’s role at the Central Bank is often traced back to long-standing relationships, including connections linked to President Barrow’s time in the diaspora,” he stated.
Bun Dawda contended that what we are really seeing is a layered system—where Seedy Njie plays a central political role but operates alongside business influence and the president’s trusted inner circle.
Regarding the delay of passport issuance causing great outrage in the Gambian embassy in Madrid in Spain, Bun dawda noted that the controversy underscores a wider issue confronting many diplomatic missions: balancing limited capacity with rising expectations from citizens abroad. For Gambians in Spain, the outcome of this situation may prove critical in shaping trust and confidence in one of their most important national institutions overseas.
