Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) staged a major show of political force in Sukuta on Saturday, with President Adama Barrow leading a rally that drew a massive crowd and featured fiery speeches from top party officials and allies.

The event, widely seen as a counter to last weekend’s triumphant welcome of opposition leader Ousainu Darboe by his United Democratic Party (UDP) supporters, underscored the rising political temperature ahead of the 2026 elections.

President Barrow used the occasion to assert his dominance over the political landscape and to send strong messages to both his opponents and former president Yahya Jammeh.

Referring to Jammeh’s frequent statements about returning to The Gambia, Barrow declared, “Your announcements about returning to The Gambia are too many and unnecessary. Just come back; the roads are open, and the airport is open.”

He further reminded Jammeh of his authority as the sitting president, saying, “You, Jammeh, you were a president, so you very well know the powers and the authority that the president commands. One thing I can tell you is, I am the Commander-in-Chief, and you know what it means.”

Turning his attention to UDP leader Ousainu Darboe, Barrow launched a sharp rebuke, declaring that Darboe “will never be president of The Gambia.” He mocked the opposition leader’s past imprisonment under Jammeh, recalling, “Darboe thought he would be eaten by Yahya Jammeh’s crocodiles; that’s why, upon his release, he called me Prophet Moses.”

Barrow continued, “I cannot be Moses yesterday and Pharaoh today,” adding that he personally facilitated Darboe’s release from prison.

The president also sought to dismiss remarks by his Lands Minister, Hamat Bah, who had described Talib Bensouda’s newly formed Unite Movement for Change (UMC) as a “threat” to the ruling party. Barrow Declares Himself ‘The Real Threat.’ “None of the opposition parties are a threat to my presidency,” Barrow said. “I am the one who threatens the opposition. My father [Darboe] has been around for over 30 years. If I am not scared of him, who else can scare me?”

He declared that the NPP’s 2026 campaign machinery was already in motion, with all government ministers, chiefs, and village heads expected to participate actively. “The campaign has started, and I don’t care about social media lies or sabotage,” Barrow said. “I am focused on my work, and I will continue to transform The Gambia’s infrastructure.”

Barrow announced that the party had already ordered containers of campaign materials, including ashobis, vehicles, and T-shirts, ensuring that “there will be no shortage of anything” for the 2026 elections. He also revealed that several individuals had pledged financial contributions to help secure a decisive NPP victory.

Other speakers at the rally included Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, Minister of Information and leader of the Citizen Alliance (CA), who launched blistering attacks on opposition parties, particularly the UMC. Dr. Ceesay accused the movement, led by KMC Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, of lacking competence and experience.

“One UMC member spent nearly a decade studying at the University of The Gambia without graduating,” Dr. Ceesay said mockingly. He further claimed that key figures in the UMC, such as MC Cham Jr. and Ebrima Dibba, “lack professional experience.”

Dr. Ceesay challenged Kanifing Mayor Bensouda to “show what he has achieved for market women and the people of the Kanifing Municipality” and went on to assert that “there is no opposition” in The Gambia.

He also took swipes at other opposition leaders, urging Ousainu Darboe to “step aside” for being “too old,” describing GDC leader Mamma Kandeh as incapable of managing his own party, and calling Essa Faal of APP-Sobeya “insincere and mentally unstable.” Dr. Ceesay concluded by dismissing the PDOIS as “a party without a leader.”

The Sukuta rally capped a weekend of high political drama, with NPP leaders exuding confidence that their show of strength marks the start of an aggressive and well-funded campaign to retain power in 2026.