By Arret Jatta
United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainu Darboe has rejected calls to join President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party (NPP)-led alliance, insisting that nobody can lead his party into another political camp against the wishes of its supporters.
Mr Darboe made the remarks on Saturday in Switzerland during a fundraising event. Mr Darboe said the UDP has been a stickler to its political principle despite attempts to lure it by the previous and current presidents.
“A force like the United Democratic Party cannot leave its party and go and be led by another party,” he said.
Mr Darboe recalled: “Since 1996, former president Jammeh tried for the United Democratic Party to join him. He tried it after the 2001 election. He tried everything, but it was not successful. And my son too, [referring to the current president] has tried that too but it has not been possible. The reason why it is not possible is because I have people behind me. I am not afraid of anybody, and I am not lonely”.
President Barrow’s NPP has recently secured support from several political figures and parties, including the All People’s Party-Sobeyaa led by Essa Mbye Faal, Gambia Democratic Congress led by Mamma Kandeh and the Gambia Movement for Progress, led by Professor Sidat Yaffa.
Mr Darboe’s response signals that the UDP intends to maintain its separate political course rather than join the president’s alliance.