By Omar Bah
President Adama Barrow said he expects United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainu Darboe to withdraw from the presidential race after Mamma Kandeh’s Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) joined the grand coalition headed by the National People’s Party (NPP).
Receiving Kandeh and members of the party’s executive at Mankamang Kunda on Wednesday, Barrow described the visit as “a family reunion” that has erased past political differences.
Barrow predicted that given the alliance’s growing strength and widening support base, Darboe will eventually remove the wool from his eyes and inform the Independent Electoral Commission of his withdrawal from the race, effectively conceding victory.
He framed the NPP–GDC partnership as born of “deep personal ties and divine intervention”, recalling his longstanding relationship with Kandeh from childhood.
“Mamma Kandeh, you are an honest person and I am an honest person. By the grace of Allah, you will not regret this, and I will not regret it either,” he said.
Barrow urged supporters of both parties to exercise patience and guard against “hypocrites” who might spread conflicting messages and sow seeds of division. He likened the alliance to a marriage that must be tended with patience and warned against those who could disturb the union.
Also, speaking at the meeting, NPP National Youth President Momodou Sabally welcomed the GDC leader, calling Barrow and Kandeh “two brothers from Jimara” and claimed the alliance has unsettled opposition ranks.