The explosive fallout between Deputy Speaker Seedy S. K Njie and former GRTS journalist Omar P. Jallow has evolved into one of The Gambia’s most politically charged controversies, exposing growing concerns over press freedom, political intimidation and the expanding influence of powerful state figures.
What began as a village fundraiser invitation to opposition leader Talib Ahmed Bensouda has spiralled into allegations of coercion, abuse of office and interference in public institutions, placing Njie at the centre of a national debate over democracy and power in post-Jammeh Gambia.
Below is an in-depth breakdown of the conflict and the trajectory of Seedy Njie’s influence.
On April 10, activist Omar Camara posted on his Facebook account saying a GRTS journalist, Omar P. Jallow, attached to the office of the Vice President, was called for questioning by the State Intelligence Service (SIS) after his village invited opposition leader Talib Ahmed Bensouda to their fundraiser because Seedy S. K Njie, deputy speaker, was not happy. This post quickly gained attention, sparking debate online.
However, on 16 April, the journalist Omar P. Jallow also posted a counter-narrative denying that his passport was seized, questioned by the SIS, or prevented from travelling with the Vice President to the United States. He described the claim as false and misleading.
However, days later, Jallow came up with a different version of the story, saying the claims he denied earlier were all true but had to deny them due to “pressure” from the Deputy Speaker, Seedy S. K Njie.
He subsequently announced his resignation from GRTS, launching a fresh attack on the deputy speaker.
The journalist’s allegations
Omar P. Jallow, who was attached to the “Office of the Vice President,” alleged a campaign of intimidation led by Seedy Njie. His key claims include:
Political Retaliation: Jallow alleged he was targeted after his village, Sare Gainako, invited “Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda” (a key opposition figure and leader of the UNITE movement) to a village cultural fundraiser.
Coerced Narratives: Jallow claimed Njie summoned him to his private residence and pressured him to publish a false statement to refute a viral report.
This statement was intended to deny reports that Jallow had been interrogated by the State Intelligence Services (SIS) or that his service passport had been seized after the village invited Mr Be Sousa to their fundraiser.
Interference in Appointments: Jallow publicly alleged that Njie bragged about blocking the appointment of certain individuals, such as Abubakar Darboe, to GRTS leadership positions based on their perceived lack of loyalty to the ruling party.
Seedy Njie’s position & state response
Denial of Involvement: While Njie has largely remained silent on specific interview details, the “State Intelligence Services (SIS)” issued a rare press release in April 2026 categorically denying that Njie had called them to order an investigation or the seizure of Jallow’s passport.
Government Stance: The administration maintains that Jallow’s resignation was a personal choice and that the Deputy Speaker’s actions, if any, were in a private capacity or related to party discipline, not state policy.
The rise of Seedy Njie: “The most powerful politician”
Seedy Njie’s ascent is often described as a masterclass in political survival. Despite being the face of the “Yahya Jammeh” regime during the 2016 political impasse, he has reinvented himself as a cornerstone of President Adama Barrow’s administration.
The President’s “enforcer”
Njie is widely viewed as the political strategist who bridges the gap between the old APRC (Jammeh’s party) and the current NPP (Barrow’s party).
His ability to mobilise the “green” (APRC) base for Barrow’s “yellow” (NPP) agenda made him indispensable.
Legislative Control: As “Deputy Speaker,” Njie holds significant sway over the National Assembly’s agenda.
Because the Speaker (Fabakary Jatta) and Deputy Speaker are presidential appointees, they are seen as the President’s direct “eyes and ears” in parliament.
Gatekeeping: Critics argue Njie has moved beyond legislative duties, acting as an informal gatekeeper for government appointments and “clearing” officials for loyalty, a claim central to the Jallow dispute.
The pro-government/supporter view
Pragmatism: Supporters see Njie as a pragmatic leader who provides the stability Barrow needs to govern.
They view his “tough” stance as necessary to protect the administration from internal sabotage by “opposition-leaning” civil servants.
Legislative Excellence: His supporters point to his 2022/2023 “African Lawmaker of the Year” awards as evidence of his commitment to parliamentary democracy.
The opposition and civil society view
Democratic backsliding: The UNITE movement and opposition parties (like the UDP) view Njie as a symbol of “Jammehism without Jammeh.” They argue that his influence over the SIS and GRTS indicates a return to the use of state machinery to silence dissent.
Abuse of office: Human rights advocates argue that a deputy speaker lacks legal authority to summon journalists to his private residence to dictate editorial content, calling it a “gross abuse of political office.”
Madi Jobarteh, a prominent human rights activist, has called for the resignation of Seedy S. K Njie, or for his removal as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, and accused him of violating section 212 of the 1997 Constitution.
“The Constitution states in Section 212 on the ‘Directive Principles of State Policy’ among others that, ‘All organs of the State shall strive towards the realisation of national unity, peace and stability,’” Jobarteh quoted.
“Section 212(2) stated that, Every effort shall be made to integrate the people of The Gambia and foster loyalty to The Gambia without discrimination.”
Maimuna Ceesay Darboe, a nominated member of parliament, has also condemned her colleague’s remarks in a statement shared on social media.
“I unequivocally condemn the reckless bigotry and divisive conduct of Hon. Seedy Njie, particularly his repeated attempts to present himself as the ultimate deciding voice for President Adama Barrow.
“Such arrogance is dangerous to national unity and has no place in a democratic society,” she stated.
The media fraternity views
Chilled Press Freedom: For many journalists, the Jallow case is a warning. It suggests that even journalists within the state apparatus (GRTS) are not safe from political reprisals if they interact with the opposition, leading to increased self-censorship.
Sankuleh Janko, a journalist with West Africa Democracy Radio (WADR), said such undermines journalists’ right to participate in their own community’s development activities, because that’s exactly what it means.
“As far as I’m concerned, Omar’s integrity as a journalist remained intact. He committed no ethical foul play. For him to be punished simply for doing his job as a member of his beloved community, simply because his villagers invited an opposition member, is shocking to say the least,” he stated.
Current status (May 2026)
Following the encounter with the deputy speaker, Omar P. Jallow officially resigned from GRTS and continues to speak out via private media platforms like “Eye Africa TV.” “Seedy S. K Njie” on the other hand, remains firmly in his post as Deputy Speaker, continuing to lead high-level diplomatic and legislative delegations, seemingly unaffected by the controversy despite being in the center of tribal remarks that sparked public discontent.
In a leaked audio recording posted by What’s On Gambia, Njie was heard explaining how he had influenced the removal of individuals believed to be opposition figures from public office.
“When Abubacarr Darboe (an opposition supporter) was appointed Director General of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), I called the president and told him to remove him.
“Darboe was subsequently removed, and even the former minister of Information, Lamin Queen Jammeh, came to my office to beg me for Darboe not to be removed, but I refused,” Njie confessed in a leaked audio.
The case remains a primary example of the “revolving door” of Gambian politics, where former rivals become the most staunch defenders of the status quo.