Continuing his dialogue with the people tour, President Yahya Jammeh on Monday held meetings in Bakoteh, Bundung and Bakau where he was accorded a tumultuous welcome. During the meetings several opposition supporters mainly from UDP defected to the ruling APRC.  Addressing the meetings at Bakoteh and Bundung, President Jammeh repeatedly referred to the September 22nd polls as a contest between progress and retrogression.  He emphasized that the results of the polls will determine who will benefit from his government's development package.  President Jammeh promised the people of Serrekunda west that government will address all their concerns during the next five years.  He said a senior secondary school will be opened in Bakoteh in September 2007.

At Bakau, the Gambian leader thanked the people for the large turnout. In a short statement, he told the people of the two constituencies to vote for their development. “Your development is to vote for APRC party. APRC party is the only party that can develop this country in all avenues. The first lady, who is also the president of the Jammeh Foundation for Peace Madam Zainab Yahya Jammeh, presented walking aides to several institutions and individuals during the Bundung meeting. She thanked the donors – PU Hsein Educational Foundation of Taiwan through the Ambassador and staff of the Taiwanese Embassy in the Gambia for the gesture. The president of GOVI who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries hailed the gesture as timely. 

The APRC national Mobilizer and SOS for Agriculture Yankuba Touray commended President Jammeh for the development projects implemented under his dynamic leadership.  He said within the next five years, 100,000 jobs would be created with the establishment of a textile factory. Mr. Touray further revealed that president Jammeh will assume the chairmanship of the OMVG in 2007 and this will help in addressing the country's energy needs.  The APRC national Mobilizer also said that the 1.5 million euro pharmaceutical project under construction in Brikama will produce 638 types of drugs. This he said will address the country's needs as well as provide a surplus for export to the sub-region.  Commenting on the loans being taken by the government, SOS Touray said this is done in the interest of the Gambian people. He therefore urged voters to come out in their large numbers on Friday and vote for President Jammeh. 

The SOS for Communication Information and Technology who is also the political desk officer for the KSMD Neneh MacDouall Gaye speaking at the Bakoteh, Bundung and Bakau meetings underscored the achievements of President Jammeh over the past 12 years, and informed the youths that President Jammeh will provide them with their basic needs. She said 95 percent of the youth going to the University are all government sponsored. “He also put up NYSS for you the youth to be able to develop yourselves. Youth Development is high on President Jammeh's agenda”, She said. SOS MacDouall Gaye therefore urged the electorate to vote massively for President Jammeh. 

Several speakers including the acting Mayor of KMC Francis Gomez applauded President Jammeh for his leadership qualities and accomplishment and promised to vote for him massively.  For his part, Alpha Omar Jallow, the APRC constituency chairman for Bakau said Bakau belongs to APRC now and ever. “We have switched allegiance to APRC. Our opposition for the past years did not yield anything good for the people of Bakau. Our roads are bad, we have no street lights neither do we have enough social amenities.”
The Alkalo of Bundung Ablie Trawally said President Jammeh is chosen by God.  The Alkalo of Bakoteh Alhagie Meta Jarsay, Luntang Jaiteh of Bakau and Alkalo Alhagie Musa Sidibeh of Bakau Wasulung Kunda assured President Jammeh of victory in their areas. 

The defectors Kuku Camara, Bessy Makolo, Bakoto Darboe, Jatou Sillah all from the UDP and Alieu Nyancho Sanyang from NADD pledged support to President Jammeh and the APRC.  The councilor for Bakoteh ward Yusupha Sanyang denied claims that some APRC supporters in the area have cross defected to NADD.