Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The United Democratic Party (UDP) is expected to officially reveal today the list of militants who have submitted their applications to contest for the party’s flagbearer position in the 2026 presidential elections. The much-anticipated announcement has already stirred tensions within the party, with accusations of favoritism, backdoor deals, and secret alliances dominating internal debates.
Supporters of Kanifing Municipal Council, Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, have accused his archrival and Chairman of Brikama Area Council, Yankuba Darboe, of maneuvering to tilt the process in favor of UDP leader ANM Ousainou Darboe, whom many see as making his final bid for leadership.
Critics claim such a strategy is intended to pave the way for Yankuba Darboe’s eventual takeover should Ousainou Darboe fail in 2026.
Nanama Keita, a vocal supporter of Mayor Bensouda, has argued that blocking Talib from contesting could come at a steep cost for the party.
“For some of them, the goal is clear: block Talib – now serving his final term as mayor – from leading the party, even if that means propping up someone unelectable,” Keita wrote. He warned that internal divisions could leave the UDP vulnerable to defeat in 2026, potentially opening the door for President Adama Barrow to retain power.
Highlighting the need for generational change within the party, Keita reminded supporters that “Talib was just 9 years old when Darboe first contested under the UDP ticket in 1996,” urging members to reflect on the party’s commitment to evolving with time.
Meanwhile, the internal rift has also drawn fire from Wally Jnr, a prominent UDP socialite, who launched a scathing attack on Chairman Yankuba Darboe, accusing him of divisive leadership and arrogance.
In a lengthy post, he alleged that the chairman has strained relationships with several executive members, warning that handing the party over to him and his allies could deepen internal discord.
“Yankuba Darboe, the chairman of Brikama, stop your division and be careful of your word and action,” Wally Jnr. wrote, adding that UDP “has a long way to go if you think you can rule a country with this mentality.”
The attacks prompted an immediate response from Chairman Yankuba Darboe, who reaffirmed his loyalty to Ousainou Darboe and dismissed suggestions that he harbored personal ambitions for the flagbearer position.
“What is wrong with this guy Wally Jnr. I am not in the race for flagbearership, and I am still their problem!!!” the BAC chairman wrote on his Facebook feed. “My candidate is Lawyer Darboe, and I am voting for him, so let’s have an amicable selection process!!!”
The unveiling of the official candidates later today is expected to intensify the debate, as the UDP confronts a defining moment that could shape both its internal cohesion and its prospects in the 2026 elections.
