PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY (PPP)
Date: July, 23rd, 2026
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Mr. Saikou Sawo’s Membership in the PPP Is Well Documented in the Party’s Official Records
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has taken note of recent public statements concerning the Party’s former Flag Bearer, Mr. Saikou Sawo, and his unregistered political movement known as Golden Era.
In the interest of maintaining an accurate public record and preventing misinformation, the Party issues the following clarification.
1. Mr. Saikou Sawo No Longer Represents the PPP
Mr. Saikou Sawo is no longer the Flag Bearer or representative of the People’s Progressive Party. Accordingly, any statements made by Mr. Sawo or by persons acting on his behalf are made solely in their personal capacities and do not represent the position, authority, policies, or decisions of the People’s Progressive Party.
2. Clarification on Mr. Sawo’s Movement
Golden Era was not established as a political party registered under the laws of The Gambia. It functioned as an unregistered political movement and did not possess the legal status, constitutional obligations, or regulatory oversight applicable to political parties registered by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
The People’s Progressive Party recognizes institutional political relationships only with political parties duly registered in accordance with the laws of The Gambia.
Accordingly, there could never have been a merger, coalition, alliance, partnership, integration, or any other institutional relationship between the People’s Progressive Party and Mr. Sawo’s movement as separate political parties.
3. What Actually Occurred
Individuals associated with Mr. Saikou Sawo’s movement voluntarily joined the People’s Progressive Party as individual members in accordance with the Constitution of the PPP.
Upon admission, they became full members of the PPP with the same constitutional rights, responsibilities, privileges, and obligations as every other member.
The Constitution of the PPP does not recognize affiliated political parties, parallel political organizations, or autonomous political movements operating within its structures.
4. Mr. Saikou Sawo’s Membership Is Well Documented
The Party’s official records clearly demonstrate the constitutional process through which Mr. Saikou Sawo became a member of the People’s Progressive Party.
These official records include:
* His written application for membership.
* His official PPP membership registration and membership card.
* His nomination and candidate application forms.
* His signed constitutional declarations and undertakings.
* Official Party records relating to his nomination and participation in Party activities.
These records leave no ambiguity regarding his status as a bona fide member of the People’s Progressive Party.
5. Eligibility to Contest
Mr. Saikou Sawo’s eligibility to contest for the position of PPP Flag Bearer arose solely from his membership in the People’s Progressive Party and his compliance with the constitutional requirements applicable to every aspiring PPP candidate.
His eligibility did not arise from any external political movement or separate political arrangement.
6. The PPP Constitution Is Public
The Constitution of the People’s Progressive Party is publicly available on the Party’s official website.
Every member voluntarily agrees to be governed by the Constitution after completing and signing the Party’s prescribed membership, nomination, and candidate undertakings. Members are expected to familiarize themselves with the constitutional provisions and procedures governing the Party.
7. The PPP’s Position Has Been Consistent
The People’s Progressive Party has consistently maintained that political participation should occur within the constitutional and legal framework established by the laws of The Gambia.
Earlier this year, senior PPP leadership publicly expressed concern regarding the increasing practice of unregistered political movements presenting themselves and operating as political parties without
being subject to the legal and regulatory obligations applicable to registered political parties.
Concerns Over Unregistered Political Movements Operating as Political Parties
That position remains unchanged today.
The PPP continues to believe that political accountability, transparency, and public confidence require all political actors to operate within the legal framework established by the Constitution and the electoral laws of The Gambia.
Likewise, any merger, coalition, alliance, partnership, or other institutional relationship involving the People’s Progressive Party can only arise through formal negotiations and approval by the constitutional organs of the Party.
8. Commitment to Constitutional Governance
The Party’s position is based not on opinion, speculation, or political disagreement, but on official records maintained in the ordinary course of its constitutional administration. These records include membership documentation, candidate application and nomination records, signed constitutional undertakings, and other official Party documents.
The People’s Progressive Party will not engage in a war of words or public exchanges of personal accusations. Our communication will remain measured, respectful, and guided by verified facts, official Party records, constitutional procedures, and the Constitution of the People’s Progressive Party.
The PPP remains firmly committed to constitutionalism, internal democracy, transparency, accountability, institutional integrity, and the rule of law.
This clarification is issued solely to correct the public record. Having clarified the facts, the People’s Progressive Party considers the matter settled and will remain focused on serving the Gambian people through constitutional governance, democratic leadership, and principled public service.
Signed
Kebba Nanko
Director of Policy, Implementation, Media and Communications
People’s Progressive Party (PPP)