Less than one month after the National Assembly election, allegations are emerging that the National Reconciliation Party’s Samba Jallow distributed mobile phones to villagers days before the election.
The former minority leader was re-elected for a 3rd term as the National Assembly member for Niamina Dankunku in the Central River Region.
But some youth leaders in his constituency alleged that he “bought” his victory. One of them disclosed to What’s On-Gambia: “Samba distributed mobile phones, football jerseys and cooking pots to several villages two days before the election.”
When asked what type of mobile phones he distributed, the youth leader responded: “Very cheap phones. May be each would cost between D2000 to D2500. It’s Itels and Techno mobile phones.”
He continued: “I know many Gambians, who have no idea about what transpired in Niamina Dankunku, would think that Samba is very popular after winning a 3rd term. But that’s not the case. He used state resources to buy votes.
“President Adama Barrow wanted him back in the National Assembly to push his agenda. Samba was the first to move a motion for Fabakary Tombong Jatta to be the speaker. That shows he is serving the purpose for Barrow.”
Samba Jallow is the longest serving lawmaker in the country having been elected for three consecutive terms. He was first elected to the National Assembly in 2012.