Has UDP’S Demba Sanyang Tried To Defect To The APRC???

…Demba Dismisses Defection Reports!!!

Mbaheh Nyang Says Demba Wanted To Cross-Carpet To APRC, But Was Denied Entry To The Hotel

Few days ago, APRC’S Mbaheh Nyang of New York claimed that some opposition supporters were among those who welcomed President Jammeh.  This claim was widely disputed by UDP’S Saihou Mballow. But to the chagrin of all, news broke out late Thursday afternoon about the planned defection of Demba Sanyang, a prominent UDP supporter to the APRC. The story goes like this: Mr. Sanyang was in the company of some APRC supporters from Atlanta, who showed up at the hotel where Jammeh, was having  meeting with his supporters. Security was beefed up at the hotel gate, following reports that some opposition elements wanted to disrupt the Presidential meeting.  All attendees, including APRC militants were subjected to vigorous search by the security at the gate.

As soon as Demba Sanyang was being checked in by the security, Mbaheh Nyang was invited to ID him. Madam Nyang refused him entry for security reasons, sources reported. Sanyang was told by Mbaheh that he was part of the opposition United Democratic Party, but he was said to have dismisses such assertions. His persistent request to attend the meeting was rejected. He left the hotel with a heavy heart, as he was refused entry.

All these, happened without a single member of the opposition UDP present. Demba Sanyang was a loner on a secret venture. He was dining with some APRC folks from Atlanta.

Shortly after his departure, Mbaheh Nyang said she was informed by the Atlanta delegation that Demba Sanyang was among the  opposition supporters, who  intended to defect to the Ruling APRC. But the APRC New York Chair lady said she was never briefed about such opposition defection ahead of time.

Even though Sanyang repeatedly denied being part of the opposition, she said she was not convinced by his claims. She said they received an intelligence report about an imminent opposition protest, which could likely disrupt their program. And thus, they decided to heighten security at the hotel entrance.

Meeting attendees were being thoroughly searched for possible possession of dangerous weapons. Mbaheh said she personally supervises the random searches. President’s personal security, and that of his supporters was of utmost concern to them, she said.

She made couple of phone calls to reach Demba Sanyang on his cellular phone, with the view of having him return back to the meeting, but without success, she said. Mbaheh left a message for Sanyany to return her call, because she regrets missing such an opposition big fish into the APRC camp.

Mabaheh said the problem has now been resolved, following an unconditional apology she extended to Demba Sanyang. She said the APRC wants folks like Sanyang in their midst.

When contacted for his side of the story, Demba Sanyang ran into laughter. He denied joining the APRC.  “ Ha  ha ha ha,…..That is not true. I went there to meet the President, but they refused me entry. I was just there to attend the meeting,”he said.

When asked why he denied being a member of opposition at the hotel gate, he remarked “ I have nothing to tell you about that.”

Demba Sanyang received an embarrassing reception at the hotel gate. Even though he denied being part of the opposition, he was never granted audience to see the President.

Saihou Mballow, is the leader of the pro democracy group called the Movement For Democracy, and Development. He was equally taken aback by Demba’s unannounced visit to Jammeh's meeting. Mballow said he was with Demba all the time, but was never briefed by his political colleague about the said meeting, which he attended. He said Sanyang informed him after he was denied entry at the hotel.

“My thing is: Why is he going there without any demonstration. If he was going there for a purpose of demonstration, he should have contacted us. Demba is the right person to explain what happened. He was not on our mission. He was there on his own without our knowledge,” Mballow told the Freedom Newspaper.