Continuing his ‘Dialogue with the People Tour' President Yahya Jammeh on Sunday held mass political rallies in Wellingara, Brufut and Sukuta in the Kombo North constituency which witnessed the mass defection of over 1500 supporters of the opposition UDP to the APRC. Speaking in Sukuta, The Gambian leader said the area was the first to embrace his government by inviting them to a meeting in the town in the early days of the transition when many were scared to associate with them and vowed never to disappoint Sukutarians.  He however wondered why the people of Sukuta opted to support the opposition in the last elections after awarding him honourary citizenship.  But according to him, he is now happy that the areas have seen the truth and the path of progress. He promised that government will soon construct the Sukuta-West Field route with street light system.

The Gambian leader reiterated once again that the September 22nd presidential election is crucial to The Gambia, as it will determine areas that want progress or retrogression, vowing to concentrate his development on areas that vote for progress.

Speaking earlier, the SOS for Agriculture and APRC national mobiliser, Yankuba Touray, said the turnout at the rally shows that Sukuta is turning its back on the opposition, and hoped that the huge turn out would transcend into votes for the APRC.

He advised the youth not to be carried away by what he described as the tricks of the GPDP leader who promised to provide free visas to the youths to travel to the West in search of greener pasture. 

According to SOS Touray, Henry Gomez has no power or authority to provide foreign visas to any Gambian and sensible Gambians cannot be carried away by such tricks.

SOS Touray added that a textile factory will soon be established in The Gambia and it will provide jobs for 100,000 Gambian youths which shows that President Jammeh has a lot of positive things in store for Gambian youths.

Dawda Ndure, a youth activitist, said UDP is dead and buried in Sukuta as most of its staunch supporters have now joined the APRC.  “Only youths without vision are left in UDP”, he said.'

Aja Arra Jatta, APRC yai compin in Sukuta, said all the 19 subwards in the town have tasked themselves to vote massively for President Jammeh and the APRC in the upcoming elections and this will be proved on election day. Alagie SK Jatta APRC chairman for Sukuta, also expressed hope that the APRC will gain the upper hand in Sukuta as they are poised to vote massively for the APRC.

Ebrima Cham, a youth leader, said the UDP can no longer hold meaningful meetings in Sukuta as the ground is no longer level for them in the area because most of the youth have turned their back to the UDP.

Other speakers included SOS Edward Singhateh, Dr ML Sedat Jobe, Hon Adama Cham, NAM for Kombo North, Aja Ndey Jatta, APRC divisional women mobiliser for the Western Region amongst others.