Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has agreed in principle to endorse United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainou Darboe as its candidate for the 2026 presidential election, making it the first major political party to publicly back Darboe’s bid ahead of the December polls.
The announcement, made during a political gathering in Pipeline, marks one of the earliest formal opposition alliances as political parties intensify efforts to build coalitions before the election.
Leaders of both parties said the agreement will be officially signed next week in the presence of party executives from across the country.
PPP says unity must come before ambition.
PPP flagbearer Saikou Saho said the decision followed extensive consultations within the party and reflected a collective commitment to opposition unity.
“We know the situation of the country today and the division, even among the opposition. The question is how can we unite and make sure the opposition is one,” Saho said.
According to him, between 95 and 96 percent of the PPP’s Central Executive Committee voted in favor of the alliance, while only two members abstained.
“The process was transparent. The agreement has been finalized in principle. It is now only a matter of putting signatures on it,” he said.
Saho added that the PPP would continue engaging other political parties and civic movements in an effort to build what he described as a broad national alliance capable of unseating the ruling National People’s Party (NPP).
“Gambia is bigger than all of us,” he said.
Party officials defend endorsement.
PPP executive Nenneh Cheyassin Secka said the party’s decision was driven by the national interest rather than individual political ambitions.
“If you love The Gambia and truly want change, you have to put personal ambitions aside,” she said, arguing that opposition parties should rally behind the country’s largest opposition party to maximize their chances of victory in 2026.
Another PPP executive, Kebbeh, offered a personal reason for supporting Darboe, recalling that he helped her family during a difficult period when her father was imprisoned for 11 years.
“When everybody turned their backs on us, he gave us food and a place to stay. He never asked for anything in return. That is the kind of person I believe can lead this country,” she said.
Darboe Calls for Broader Opposition Alliance
Accepting the endorsement, Darboe described the agreement as the beginning of what he hopes will become a broader opposition coalition ahead of the election.
“Our relationship is informed by concern for the people of this country. This is not about making someone president. It is about rescuing this country,” he said.
The UDP leader thanked the PPP leadership for what he described as a selfless decision and appealed to other political parties, civic organizations, and political movements to join the alliance.
He said a united opposition front would be essential to meeting the growing demand for political change.
The PPP’s endorsement represents the first significant political alliance publicly announced in support of Darboe’s presidential bid, potentially setting the tone for further negotiations among opposition parties in the run-up to the 2026 presidential election.
The agreement is expected to be formally signed next week, a move that could trigger further political realignments as parties position themselves for the closely watched polls.
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