Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Banjul Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe has urged her opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) to put aside internal divisions and focus on unseating President Adama Barrow in the 2026 presidential election.

Speaking in an interview with the online TV platform Mengbekering on Saturday, Mayor Lowe emphasized that no opposition party can successfully remove an incumbent without unity and solidarity among its members.

“That is the reality, and the party must have a direction. Instead of going after each other, members must go after President Adama Barrow,” Lowe stated, stressing that the UDP needs to align its efforts toward a common goal.

She warned that if party members continue engaging in what she termed as “petty talks,” they risk missing the opportunity to reclaim power.

Lowe also responded to critics who have urged her to change her approach to politics, asserting that she has sacrificed immensely for the UDP.

“Not many politicians have done what I did for this party and how much I invested because this is the only party that I know. It is where I was born, where I grew up, and where I got married. A lot of people who are up today fighting for the party found us done with our part and retired; the records are there. So they cannot love the party more than we do,” she said.

She highlighted the importance of consolidating the party’s base rather than fueling internal rivalries. Lowe disclosed that she had personally advised fellow UDP leaders, Mayor Talib Bensouda and Brikama Area Council Chairman Yankuba Darboe, to be cautious of individuals attempting to sow discord among them.

“I have warned both Mayor Talib Bensouda and Chairman Yankuba Darboe to be wary of people attempting to disunite us because they will go away when they succeed in seeing us apart,” she cautioned.

Mayor Lowe also revealed that she has been a primary target of President Barrow’s alleged intimidation tactics but chooses not to publicize her struggles.

“I am more at the receiving end of President Barrow’s hostility and intimidation tactics than any other person, but I do not make much noise about it,” she said.

Her remarks come at a time when the UDP faces internal tensions over leadership and strategy ahead of the 2026 elections. Many in the party see unity as crucial in their bid to challenge Barrow’s presidency.

Source:  The Standard