Talib Ahmed Bensouda, leader of the UNITE Party and Coalition 2026 presidential candidate, has accused the government of altering the Local Government Commission of Inquiry report before its public release, alleging that the published version contains information absent from the document submitted to President Adama Barrow.
Speaking at a Coalition 2026 rally in Old Yundum on Friday, Mr. Bensouda questioned the authenticity and legality of the published report, claiming that its contents had been manipulated to damage his political standing ahead of the December 5 presidential election.
The Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) mayor said he had examined three versions of the commission’s report: an initial draft, a revised draft and the final version submitted to President Barrow. He alleged that additional information appeared in the document subsequently released to the public.
“The commission report that they published last night is illegal, and a day will come, we are going to investigate this report,” Mr. Bensouda said.
But he did not say which specific sections he thought had been altered, nor did he provide any documentary evidence to back his claims.
He also questioned why the government only published the White Paper on the commission’s findings late at nite, which he said was politically motivated and designed to influence public opinion ahead of the election.
“They came out to steal our election last night,” he said, accusing the government of weaponizing the commission’s findings against his presidential bid.
Mr. Bensouda portrayed the controversy as part of what he described as a broader campaign of political pressure against him since his election as KMC mayor. He claimed that repeated attempts had been made to frustrate his administration and undermine his political influence.
Despite the controversy, he dismissed suggestions that the developments would weaken Coalition 2026 or derail its presidential campaign.
“What I can tell you, and I have been saying, is that Coalition 2026 is unshakable. Talib Ahmed Bensouda is unmovable,” he said.
The coalition leader also said the commission’s investigation had affected some 1,000 local government employees, saying its ultimate aim was to politically target him.
Mr Bensouda defended his term as KMC mayor, saying his administration had focused on improving public services and promoting development in the municipality. “All decisions I made in my time as mayor were made with the residents’ needs in mind, not any ulterior motives,” he said.
His allegations have raised questions about the integrity of the commission’s published findings. But he did not provide evidence at the rally to show that the report had been changed.
The claims have not been verified, and the government could not be reached for comment on the specific allegations at the time of reporting.
