Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Youth and Sports Minister Bakary Badjie has questioned the presidential ambitions of Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Mayor and UNITE Party leader Talib Ahmed Bensouda, arguing that he should first account for his performance as mayor before seeking the country’s highest office ahead of the 2026 presidential election.
Speaking at a National People’s Party (NPP) political meeting in Kotu Quarry, Badjie said Gambians should carefully examine the track records of aspiring leaders, insisting that Bensouda must demonstrate what he has achieved during his eight years in office.
The minister noted that the political landscape had changed, with more candidates entering the presidential race beyond the traditional contest between the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP).
Focusing on the KMC mayor, Badjie challenged Bensouda to provide tangible evidence of his accomplishments, particularly in infrastructure development.
“You have been mayor for eight years, and you cannot show the road you have constructed. You cannot even show one kilometer of road you have constructed,” Badjie said.
Badjie also accused Bensouda of prioritizing national political ambitions over his responsibilities as mayor. He alleged that the UNITE Party leader had traveled to the United States to promote his party’s political agenda instead of concentrating on municipal affairs.
“He even forgot he is a mayor and went to do the work of his party. He is campaigning for the presidency,” he said.
The minister urged voters to critically assess the records of political leaders before casting their ballots, warning against supporting candidates who, in his view, have not delivered measurable results in the offices they currently hold.
Badjie further argued that President Adama Barrow’s development agenda requires close cooperation between the central government, mayors, councillors, and National Assembly members. He therefore called on residents to support candidates of the NPP/APRC alliance in the upcoming local government elections.
Highlighting the government’s record, Badjie cited investments in electricity, water supply, road infrastructure, and programs supporting women as evidence of what he described as the Barrow administration’s development achievements.
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