**Title Suggestion**:
*Barrow Dares Darboe Ahead of 2026 Election, Defends Government’s Democratic Principles*
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**News Story**:
President Adama Barrow has firmly expressed his readiness to contest in the upcoming 2026 presidential elections, signaling his determination to face any challenger, including his main political rival, Ousainou Darboe of the United Democratic Party (UDP). Speaking during an interview with his party’s media at his residence in Mankamang Kunda, Barrow made it clear that he would not be deterred by the UDP’s criticisms or calls for term limits.
“I want to tell them [UDP] that I will be the candidate in 2026 and let me see whether they will be able to remove me. Gambians are not stupid, they know who is working and who is not,” Barrow said, dismissing the UDP’s push for a term limit, which is currently not enshrined in the Gambian constitution.
Using a football analogy to stress his point, Barrow added, “If you are a player, and I am a player, it is only the referee that can decide, based on the rules. But you cannot be a player just like me and want to say I will not play in the game. You cannot decide for the NPP who they should choose as their flagbearer; that responsibility is in the hands of the members of the party.”
The president also confidently predicted that Darboe would be the UDP’s candidate in the 2026 elections. He issued a direct challenge to his longtime political adversary: “I want to assure him that if I am done with him this time around, he will not bounce back.”
**Response to Journalists’ Case**
Barrow also addressed Darboe’s accusations that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Seedy Touray, his in-law, is being used to prosecute two journalists from *The Voice*. Darboe has criticized the prosecution, suggesting it was politically motivated.
In his defense, Barrow questioned Darboe’s reasoning, stating that in a democratic country governed by the rule of law, anyone who feels aggrieved has the right to seek justice through the courts. He contrasted his administration’s approach with that of former president Yahya Jammeh, saying, “If this was Yahya Jammeh, he would not even go to court but send the journalists straight to Mile 2. So, he [Darboe], who is enjoying the new-found democracy, should not encourage otherwise.”
Barrow reminded Darboe that he, too, had suffered under the Jammeh regime and should appreciate the principles of democracy that Barrow’s government is upholding.
**Challenging Darboe’s Court Case**
The president also took aim at Darboe’s ongoing court challenge concerning the appointment of regional governors, accusing him of hypocrisy. Barrow pointed out that Darboe had raised no objections when similar appointments were made while he was part of the government.
“If he [Darboe] sees us doing the right thing and promoting the principles of democracy by going to court, he should be encouraged by that,” Barrow said, adding that Darboe’s current legal actions were contrary to his previous stance on appointments.
Barrow accused Darboe of being “selfish” during his time in government, arguing that Darboe’s actions were driven by self-interest rather than principle. “I cannot accept something today and reject it tomorrow to the extent of going to court. It is shameful and selfish,” Barrow added, accusing his rival of only protecting his position while in office.
**Rejects Criticism of Healthcare System**
In his remarks, Barrow also rejected Darboe’s criticism that his government was constructing hospitals “without doctors and medicine.” He did not elaborate further on this point but dismissed the claim as baseless.
As tensions between the National People’s Party (NPP) and the UDP continue to rise ahead of the 2026 elections, Barrow’s statements underline the intensity of the political battle looming between the two leaders, both of whom have a long and intertwined history in Gambian politics.
