After independence in 1965, it was time for ‘fair’ distribution of the national cake. However, everyone but Baddibunkas would not wait to receive their piece of the cake in Baddibu. They stormed the capital. Today, they’re not only the capital’s eminent millionaires, but also native Banjulians refer to Tobacco Road as Small Baddibu. The Baddibu dominance is also visible in Albert Market.

But did you ever wonder how Baddibunkas from the North Bank Region came to establish businesses and gain prominence in Banjul?

An investigation by What’s On-Gambia revealed that the country’s first vice president and Baddibu’s first elected MP, the late Sheriff Mustupha Dibba played a significant role in establishing a Baddibunka hegemony in Banjul in the first republic.

According to a source, it was part of his efforts for Baddibu to have a dominant say in the country’s day-to-day running.

The Salikene-born politician, who ditched Sir Dawda Jawara in 1975 to start his own political party, National Convention Party (NCP), allegedly used his position as vice president and MP to help his largely farming community to become a respectable force in every strata of life in The Gambia.

Many of the Baddibunka traders later became the first millionaires in the capital city. Alh. Salifu K. Jaiteh was one of them. He was worth millions of Dalasi and was the country’s main distributor and importer of second hand clothing.

Other Badibunkas that became millionaires when the NCP leader was in the prime of his political career included Nafa Saho, Saikou Ceesay, Alh. Toro Darboe and Faye Singateh.

A source, who wants to remain anonymous, said Sheriff was a revered figure in the first republic, who was always ready to butt heads for both local and national supremacy.