By Lamin Njie
Ebrima Dibba has hailed Njie Manneh’s decision to return to the United Democratic Party.
Manneh shocked the nation on Saturday after he announced he was returning to UDP, six months after leaving the party.
Mr Manneh converted to President Adama Barrow’s camp early this year following the Gambian leader’s ugly estrangement with UDP.
He later became one of his staunchest supporters who did not shy away from attacking UDP leader Ousainou Darboe.
But in an audio message on Saturday, Mr Manneh said he was returning home.
“Ousainou Darboe is my grandfather and UDP is my home, so I am going back home,” Manneh said.
“I want to inform Gambians I have resigned from President Barrow’s camp and I have returned to UDP, my grandfather’s home.
“Mandinka elders are right. If Satan holds you in custody, if you pray to God you will break free. I prayed to God and he has made me get away from Satan. I have returned to my grandfather’s home, UDP.”
Manneh said his decision was informed by the ‘unfair’ treatment of a driver at State House Mansa Sumareh.
He also said he could no longer support President Barrow because of the way Momodou Sabally has been treated.
UDP’s Ebrima Dibba in an audio message said Njie Manneh called him informing him of his decision.
Dibba said: “Njie Manneh called me to express his disappointment regarding President Barrow’s camp. What they told him and what he expected were like heaven and earth.
“President Barrow and his entourage’s style of governance is something Njie Manneh understood. They are people that shouldn’t be trusted. They are only there for their interests and Njie Manneh was aware of this.
“So if someone leaves his house for elsewhere but did not find anything there and later returns home… We are telling Njie, ‘welcome.’”
