Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, the Gambia)- In an interview with Star FM’s “Wake up Gambia” Show, Hon. Halifa Sallah, the Secretary General of the People’s Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) has said that a potential coalition for the 2026 presidential election involving him is in the process.
When asked about the rumours that “Team Talib” a group said to be advocating for Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC’s) Mayor to be a Presidential Candidate in 2026 planning to form a coalition with PDOIS.
Hon. Sallah mentioned the need for his party to go to Congress first before discussing a coalition with any Political Party or group.
“Before going to the issue of a coalition, PDOIS must go to Congress and discuss everything before talking about a coalition. The issue of the 2026 coalition is my idea not the PDOIS. So I have to first take it to the PDOIS and discuss it with the party,” Hon. Sallah told Star FM.
Hon. Sallah said it is left with PDOIS to take a stand on it or not. He further stated that even if the party decided on the issue, it is left with the party to give him the responsibility or give it to someone else.
Hon. Sallah said at the moment, the issue of a coalition for the 2026 Presidential election is a work in progress.
“Right now we don’t know how it will go but it is a work in progress. But I am sure that if there are people whose heart, mind and technical know-how to remove the Gambia from the suffering it is now, I think they will all come together to rescue Gambia from the suffering it is right now,” Hon. Sallah said, hinting his readiness for a coalition talk.
However, when quizzed on whether “Team Talib” approached him for a coalition talk, Hon. Sallah said now is not the time to tell the people who PDOIS is having coalition discussions with.
“When it is time to tell the public about it, we will come to the public and inform the Gambia people,” he said.
On the issue of whether he will contest for an election after announcing that he will no longer seek an office, Hon. Sallah maintained that he will not seek an office again as earlier announced.
“But it went to a stage where people wanted to use my words to destroy PDOIS by saying that Halifa is no longer there, the PDOIS this and that…..saying that I am doing that to look for a position somewhere else. But I want to tell them that I am not their problem. What I am doing no one knows. I am a citizen of this country, and if I want I will contest for elections, if I want I will not,” he stressed.
