The main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainu Darboe has declared that President Barrow is so unpopular that he now agrees with other politicians who believe that removing him may not necessarily require one united opposition front.
“Other party leaders have held this view before and I too believe that even one party can remove President Barrow if things go by law and the right way,” Darboe said in an interview with Hilltop radio.
Darboe, who is currently in Europe to raise funds for his party’s election campaign, said he is convinced about this because Gambians are collectively dissatisfied with Barrow’s governance. “This is a bad government that only specialises in hounding road construction as an achievement when Gambians are dying of hunger, at sea, being murdered in their homes and dead bodies being found in bushes. Who will vote for a president who cannot protect his people; a president who thrives on corruption; a president who openly accepts gifts and cars from businessmen and brags about it?,” Darboe asked.
The UDP leader said President Barrow needs to understand that these businessmen giving him such gifts and money are not operating philanthropist organisations but they are doing it in exchange for favours from the government.
“It is all corruption,” Darboe declared.
He assured that with a UDP government they will make sure campaign funding is properly regulated to avoid politicians from collecting bribes, seeking sponsorships from wealthy businessmen so that they will do whatever they want if those they patronise become president.
Opposition unity
Asked if his party which is leading the Gambia First Coalition, would consider forming alliance with Coalition 2026 led by Talib as well as the Team Gambia Coalition which is yet to select a standard bearer, Darboe insisted that the coming together of all opposition groups into a single alliance has always been UDP’s position.
“We have never shied from the need of forming a united opposition front to rally behind one candidate. But the structures and principles to be used to build it should be properly looked into to see if they are in order. And if they are in order, then it could be explored and achieved. But if the principles are out of order, then there would be an issue,” Darboe said.
He vehemently clarified that he will not singlehandedly step aside for another candidate all in the name of a single opposition coalition adding that it has to be the decision of his party to ask him to step aside. “But other than that I am going to contest the election,” he stated.