Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – The United Democratic Party (UDP) has suffered another setback following the resignation of one of its key youth leaders, Hon. Tobaski Jeng Sibi, who cited “undemocratic practices” within the party as the reason for his departure.

In a strongly worded resignation letter addressed to the party leadership, Sibi announced his immediate withdrawal from the UDP, ending years of active service at different levels of the party.

He held several prominent positions, including Ward Secretary, Constituency Coordinator, Constituency Secretary General, Regional Executive Auditor, Regional Youth Secretary General, Regional Youth Leader and Coordinator, Member of the National Youth Executive Committee, Vice Chair of the Transport and Logistics Committee, and later Chairman of the same committee.

“I took pride in serving in these roles because I believed in the democratic principles, norms, trust, and values that the UDP represented,” Sibi stated. “It was this same conviction that guided me not to join His Excellency President Adama Barrow during his separation from the party.”

Sibi accused the UDP of sidelining its grassroots supporters in critical decision-making, particularly in the selection of the party’s flag bearer.

He criticized the current process, which leaves the decision in the hands of the national executive and a few regional representatives, rather than a transparent congress involving delegates from across the country.

“This process does not reflect the democratic will of the grassroots—the true owners of the party,” Sibi said, noting that he had personally raised the issue with the party leader, only to be told that “our democracy is premature.”

He further alleged that the same “undemocratic mindset” was displayed during the National Assembly Member (NAM) primaries, claiming that despite winning the primaries convincingly, the UDP leadership pressured him to step aside for a senior party executive who neither lived in the constituency nor contested the primaries.

“With such a stance, I no longer wish to associate myself with a party that claims to stand for democracy yet reduces it to premature hopes and dreams,” Sibi declared.

Despite his resignation, Sibi expressed gratitude to the UDP leadership and his colleagues for the opportunities and experiences he gained throughout his service, adding that he now intends to pursue principles that align more closely with his values.

The UDP has yet to issue an official response to Sibi’s resignation.