Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainu Darboe has strongly denied speculation that he promised Kanifing Mayor Talib Bensouda the party’s presidential ticket for the 2026 elections, insisting that such claims are false and disrespectful to the UDP membership.
Speaking in an exclusive with The Standard yesterday, Darboe described the rumors as “fabrications aimed at sowing discord” and made it clear that the decision on the party’s flag bearer rests solely with its members.
“Do I own the party? If anybody is fantasizing about that, I think it’s unfortunate. I don’t own the party. I cannot guarantee anybody that you will be the leader of the party,” Darboe stressed. “It is the membership of the party that decides who should hold any particular position. Anyone fanning such claims is insulting UDP members as if they are just figurative members while I decide who should be what.”
His remarks came amid claims by a close aide of Mayor Bensouda that Darboe had privately pledged his support for the mayor to lead the UDP in 2026.
While the spokesperson of Bensouda’s new Unite Movement for Change dismissed the allegation, he declined to clarify what was discussed between the two men.
At the same time, Darboe confirmed that the UDP remains open to coalition talks with other political actors as the 2026 presidential race draws closer. Asked whether this openness extends to Bensouda’s Unite Movement, he replied, “We are open to discussions with anybody. We have never turned our back on party alliances. We are prepared to discuss conditions with any party or group of people.”
Darboe, currently on a fundraising tour in Europe with senior UDP figures, pointed out that his party has a long history of working in alliances since 2001, adding that the success of any coalition will depend on negotiations and terms agreed upon.
Commenting on a recent opinion poll that ranked him unfavorably, the veteran opposition leader dismissed its predictive value.
“It is true that one cannot ignore surveys, but they don’t provide the answers. They give indications, not conclusions,” he said, citing the 2016 and 2024 U.S. presidential elections, where Donald Trump defied polling predictions to secure victory.
As the election clock ticks down, Darboe’s firm denial of a promised candidacy for Bensouda and his readiness to negotiate coalition alliances signal the challenges and strategic maneuvers shaping The Gambia’s opposition landscape.
