People’s Alliance Party (PAP) leader Ebrima Tabora Manneh has ruled out compromising his party’s principles for financial rewards or political appointments, insisting that integrity, honesty and patriotism will remain at the heart of its politics.
In an interview with The Fatu Network, Mr. Manneh said the party was built on values it had no intention of abandoning for political convenience or personal gain.
He expressed concern over the country’s overall direction, arguing that the government had failed to make the progress expected in several key sectors since 2021.
While acknowledging that no administration could deliver on every promise, the PAP leader said President Adama Barrow’s government had fallen short of what his party considered satisfactory performance.
Mr. Manneh, however, was not dismissive of the administration’s achievements. He singled out improvements in road infrastructure, ferry services and electricity access as areas where the government deserved recognition.
He also praised the democratic space Gambians currently enjoy, particularly the freedom to criticise those in power, describing it as an important achievement that should be protected.
The PAP leader rejected suggestions that acknowledging the government’s successes amounted to supporting President Barrow or aligning his party with the ruling National People’s Party (NPP).
He maintained that his party’s position was based on principle rather than political loyalty, arguing that it would be unfair to ignore positive developments simply because they had been delivered by a government the party did not support.
Mr. Manneh said the PAP was not interested in politics merely as a route to power, adding that it would continue to hold the government accountable where it fell short while recognising decisions and projects that served the public interest.
He insisted that neither financial incentives nor offers of political positions would persuade the party to abandon its values or compromise its credibility.
For the PAP leader, the party’s political identity must be defined by honesty and public service, rather than the pursuit of appointments, money or personal advantage.
