The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice unequivocally condemns the comments made by Deputy Speaker Seedy SK Njie in a leaked audio recording, which are tribalistic, unconstitutional, reckless, and threaten national peace, security, and democratic governance. The remarks stand in direct violation of Section 112 of the Constitution on the responsibility of National Assembly Members (NAMs), which states that:
“(a) all members shall maintain the dignity of the National Assembly both during the sittings of the National Assembly and in their acts and activities outside the National Assembly;
(b) all members shall regard themselves as servants of the people of The Gambia, desist from any conduct by which they seek improperly to enrich themselves or alienate themselves from the people, and shall discharge their duties and functions in the interest of the nation as a whole and in doing so, shall be influenced by the dictates of conscience and the national interest.”
The comments and actions admitted by Seedy SK Njie amount to gross misconduct and abuse of office. Through the leaked audio, he openly engaged in tribalism and hate speech, interfered with public institutions, intimidated public officials, and undermined constitutional governance.
First, his admission that he influenced the President to rescind the appointment of Abubacarr Darboe as Director General of GRTS represents an improper interference in executive functions that falls entirely outside the mandate of the Deputy Speaker.
Second, by summoning and threatening GRTS reporter Omar P. Jallow, he overstepped his legal authority and sought to intimidate a journalist in the exercise of his professional duties, thereby undermining press freedom and democratic accountability.
Third, his threat to dismiss DPS Ousman Ceesay at the Office of the Vice President constitutes interference in the functioning of state institutions and violates the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
These actions bring the Office of the Deputy Speaker and the National Assembly into serious disrepute.
More fundamentally, by targeting and attacking individuals on the basis of ethnicity and perceived political affiliation, Seedy SK Njie has violated both the letter and spirit of the Constitution while endangering national unity, peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion. His conduct violates multiple constitutional provisions and Standing Orders of the National Assembly, while undermining the role and integrity of the legislature and its members.
EFSCRJ maintains that Seedy SK Njie must be held accountable in order to preserve the rule of law, restrain abuse of power, protect the dignity of the National Assembly, and safeguard national peace and unity. In this regard, we remind National Assembly Members of their constitutional duty to defend the sanctity and supremacy of the Constitution, protect fundamental rights, and uphold the dignity and integrity of the National Assembly, as provided under Sections 4, 17 and 112 respectively, as well as Chapter XX on the Directive Principles of State Policy and Chapter XXI on the Code of Conduct for Public Officers of the 1997 Constitution.
Accordingly, the EF Small Centre urges NAMs to urgently initiate proceedings to remove Seedy SK Njie both as a Nominated Member and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly pursuant to Sections 91 and 93 of the Constitution. Failure to act would amount to condoning abuse of office, unconstitutional conduct, tribalism, and political interference in public institutions.
Similarly, EFSCRJ calls on President Adama Barrow, in his capacity as party leader of the NPP, to dismiss Seedy SK Njie from the party in accordance with the NPP Constitution and its stated principles.
The NPP has publicly professed zero tolerance for tribalism and repeatedly asserted that the party is founded on inclusivity, national unity, and equal respect for all ethnic, religious, and regional identities. The comments and conduct of Seedy SK Njie stand in glaring contradiction to these principles and values.
Furthermore, the Memorandum of Understanding and Code of Conduct of the Inter-Party Committee (IPC), to which the NPP is a signatory, clearly provides under Section 5 that any subscribing party shall:
i. Respect the full separation of powers as established by the Constitution and other laws;
ii. Refrain from seeking to unduly influence or use other arms of government for political purposes; and
iii. Refrain from using civil servants and public resources for partisan political purposes.
As an executive member of the NPP, Seedy SK Njie’s conduct constitutes a clear violation of these principles and obligations. His admitted interference in public institutions and intimidation of public officials directly undermine the separation of powers, the neutrality of the civil service, and the independence of state institutions. Consequently, both the NPP and the IPC have a responsibility to hold him accountable in line with the standards and commitments they have publicly endorsed.
EFSCRJ treats the conduct and statements of Seedy SK Njie with utmost seriousness because he occupies two highly influential positions – Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Executive Member of the ruling NPP. As such, his words and actions carry significant political and institutional weight with direct implications for governance, public trust, and national cohesion. For that reason, his conduct cannot and must not be ignored or left unchecked.
Without accountability, the National Assembly, NPP and the IPC risk normalizing tribalism, abuse of office, and impunity thereby threatening national security, democratic governance, reconciliation, and the objectives of transitional justice in the Gambia.
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