The head of the largest opposition party, Talib Bensouda, who is also the mayor of Kanifing Municipality, has said that his party has a good chance of winning the 2026 presidential election.
As part of his UDP statewide trip, Bensouda spoke in Farafenni, where he was warmly welcomed. According to him, UDP has all it needs to win in 2026 thanks to the solid foundation and highly effective national mechanisms put in place under Ousainu Darboe’s leadership.
It will take a lot of hard work, but we’re certain that 2026 will be our year. Politics should be something you do every day, not just when the party leaders drop by. He spoke to a packed house that erupted in euphoric applause, promising that once in power, the party will remain in control for a thousand years due to its solid foundations. He went on to say that the government would be effective because of these foundations.
According to Talib, the Gambia would maintain its independence and sovereignty under a UDP administration.
Unity in Diversity Party (UDP) membership.
Witnesses noted that the trip put Bensouda’s personal popularity rating in the party and nation on full display, as he was greeted by throngs of people in each area. Speaking about his commitment to the UDP, Mayor Bensouda reassured party members that he would remain in his position.
When I was born, I discovered that my dad was already on the move with Ousainu Darboe, and my mom was helping out as well. So, I was born into the UDP and am the son of Ousainu Darboe. We shall follow Darboe’s directions to the letter. I am following after him. Everyone is free to express their opinions, but I intend to carry out my duties as assigned and stand by the party’s values. I wouldn’t have joined the UDP for the money, and I would have gone with Barrow for the government job. “My goal in entering politics is to make sure that our roads are good, that our schools are good, and that our young people have jobs,” he said.
At the same time, Ya Ndey Njie, a prominent Farafenni resident and NPP supporter, declared her intention to join the UDP.
She claimed that all Gambians, regardless of their political or religious affiliation, are feeling the effects of the country’s problems. In the next presidential election, she predicted that many dissatisfied citizens will cast ballots rejecting the current system.