A leaked audio recording published by the online platform What’s On – Gambia appears to capture Seedy Njie, deputy spokesperson of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), making controversial remarks about public sector appointments and dismissals, raising fresh concerns over political interference in state institutions.
The recording, which the platform says was taken during a private meeting, allegedly features Mr. Njie — who also serves as deputy speaker of the National Assembly — in conversation with Omar Jallow and a group of elders from Niamina, including Mr. Jallow’s father.
During the exchange, Mr. Njie appears to claim responsibility for blocking the appointment of Abubacarr Darboe as director general of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS). He also suggests he opposed the promotion of Ousman Ceesay to permanent secretary at the Office of the Vice President.
At one point in the recording, Mr. Njie is heard saying, “I made sure it happened,” while referring to Mr. Darboe’s removal. He goes on to describe discussions with both a government minister and President Adama Barrow, claiming he urged the president to reverse the appointment because Mr. Darboe had allegedly been critical of the president.
According to the recording, Mr. Njie further stated that President Barrow “agreed without hesitation” after being told that the minister had misrepresented Mr. Darboe’s political affiliations.
The audio also appears to capture Mr. Njie questioning Mr. Ceesay’s ethnic background and expressing opposition to his advancement due to alleged links to the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP). At one stage, he asks whether Mr. Ceesay is Mandinka, though the context and relevance of the remark remain unclear.
In another segment, Mr. Njie reportedly says he would push for the dismissal of a deputy permanent secretary whom he described as sympathetic to the opposition, adding that he intended to raise the matter directly with the president.
Mr. Jallow, however, does not appear to endorse the comments and at several moments distances himself from the political claims, stating that he could not confirm whether either Mr. Darboe or Mr. Ceesay were affiliated with any political party.
The authenticity of the audio recording has not been independently verified, and neither Mr. Njie nor the government had publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication.
The leaked remarks are expected to intensify debate over political influence in public sector appointments in The Gambia, where issues of governance, transparency, and institutional independence continue to dominate public discourse.
