Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, THE GAMBIA) – President Adama Barrow has pledged to introduce a new constitution guaranteeing presidential term limits if re-elected for a third term, but has made the commitment conditional on his NPP-led coalition securing an absolute majority in the National Assembly.
Barrow made the commitment on Tuesday after submitting his presidential nomination papers to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), ahead of the December 5, 2026 presidential election.
Asked whether he would guarantee Gambians that a third term would be his last and commit to introducing a new constitution before leaving office, Barrow said the decision on whether he should remain president rests with Gambian voters.
“The Gambian people are the people who elect a president. They decide the fate of a president. So it is up to the Gambian people to decide whether I should be president or not,” President Barrow clarified.
Barrow then reiterated his support for term limits but stopped short of making an unconditional promise.
“I have always made myself very clear that I believe in term limits. But that does not mean that term limits is the best system of governance,” he told journalists.
He cited democratic countries such as Britain and Germany, which do not operate presidential term limits, before arguing that the Gambian electorate should ultimately decide who governs the country.
However, Barrow said his administration would deliver a new constitution if his political coalition secured enough seats in the National Assembly to meet the required threshold for its passage.
“If I have a majority in the National Assembly, if I have an absolute majority, that means the threshold of passing a constitution, I will give the Gambian people a new constitution that guarantees term limit,” he said.
Barrow Outlines Five-Year Agenda
Beyond the constitutional question, the incumbent president used his post-nomination address to outline his priorities for another five years in office, promising continuity in infrastructure development, agricultural modernization, job creation and institutional reforms.
He said a third-term administration would continue implementing what he described as his UNRWA agenda, focusing on expanding road and electricity networks and improving connectivity to enable communities to access essential services, including healthcare and education.
Barrow also pledged to modernize agriculture, improve farmers’ access to markets and strengthen food security.
On employment, he said his government would invest in human capacity development, particularly among young people, to create opportunities for self-employment and enable them to participate more actively in the country’s economic growth.
He further promised to strengthen public institutions through improved policies and legislation, while upholding the rule of law within a democratic environment.
The president concluded his remarks by appealing to Gambians and residents to respect the law and preserve national unity.
“We have one Gambia and we are one nation,” he said.
Barrow Arrives Minutes Before Deadline
Barrow arrived at the IEC headquarters, Election House, at 11:28 am, just two minutes before the end of his scheduled nomination slot.
He was accompanied by Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow, cabinet ministers, senior government officials and prominent figures within the NPP-led coalition.
Thousands of supporters, including women’s groups, members of allied political parties and other sympathisers, also gathered at the commission’s headquarters to witness the nomination.
During the formal proceedings, Seedy Njie submitted the required documents on behalf of Barrow. The president’s direct participation was limited to answering questions confirming his age and the color of his party.
His nomination comes as he seeks a third term in office, with the constitutional question of presidential term limits remaining a significant issue in the country’s political debate.
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