Gambiaj.com – (BRIKAMA, The Gambia) – During a political rally in Brikama on Saturday, President Adama Barrow made a controversial statement that he would remain in office until the death of Ousainou Darboe, leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP).

President Barrow was addressing Ousainou Darboe’s threat to confiscate the land attributed to Barrow in Fajara when he made the controversial remarks. Speaking to his supporters, President Barrow asserted, “As President, I shall hold the office until he (Ousainou Darboe) passes away; only then will I quit… I won’t leave office and this presidency until after my father (Ousainou Darboe) passes away, and when at that point, I attend his funeral and burial.”

This statement has sparked significant backlash, with critics arguing that nothing justifies wishing death upon a political opponent.  The rivalry between President Barrow and his former political mentor, Darboe, has intensified recently.

“My father came here and stated that if he becomes president, he will seize the land the state gave me. He stated that the land assigned to me belonged to the chief justice. But he and the chief justice are both lawyers. Allow him to approach the chief justice and inquire whether the land has a chief justice title document. If it is true, I will return the land,” Barrow stated.

Darboe has accused Barrow of corruption and a lack of commitment to addressing it. Additionally, Darboe has gained political leverage scoring political points through a series of legal suits challenging the government’s administrative appointments of presidential advisers, diplomats, and local government officials.

These legal challenges have led to a series of reluctant redeployments by President Barrow’s administration. In response, Barrow has made several controversial remarks about the UDP and its leadership, as seen in the “bitik naar” controversy.

“I have given his wife a plot of land that is not a layout. I sacked him while the papers were being processed. Then he sent to ask that I provide his wife and daughter the land. I requested that Musa Drammeh, the Minister of Lands, handle their applications after telling him that I am not like Darboe. I do want to tell him one thing, though: I swear tonight that I will remain president until Ousainou Darboe passes away, despite his vow that he would confiscate my land if elected” President Barrow told his supporters on Saturday.

However, reactions to President Barrow’s comments in Brikama on Saturday have been unanimous: nothing justifies wishing death upon a political opponent.

UDP’s Ebrima Dibba condemned Barrow’s remarks as “utterly uncalled for, disrespectful, and a clear confirmation of his belief that the President lacks proper home training.”

Talib Bensouda, the Mayor of Kanifing, also expressed dismay, highlighting the country’s pressing issues that Barrow has seemingly ignored. Bensouda noted the country’s severe poverty, a recent tragedy where a boat carrying 300 youths capsized, and the destruction caused by a new drug called ‘Kush’. He criticized Barrow for focusing on Darboe’s death rather than addressing these critical concerns.

The President’s comments have added fuel to the ongoing political tension in The Gambia, drawing attention away from the urgent issues affecting the nation.