Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Brikama Area Council Chairman, Yankuba Darboe, has reignited his longstanding rivalry with Talib Ahmed Bensouda as the United Democratic Party (UDP) faces one of its most turbulent moments.
In the wake of the massive grassroots exodus to Bensouda’s newly launched political movement, Yankuba has doubled down on his loyalty to Ousainou Darboe, casting himself as the frontline defender of the UDP leader’s embattled legacy.
In a statement signed by him and 22 UDP councillors from the Brikama Area Council, Chairman Darboe declared unwavering support for Ousainou Darboe as the party’s flagbearer.
“Together, we have publicly declared our unconditional endorsement of Lawyer Darboe as the party’s flagbearer and will do everything within the laws of The Gambia to ensure he ascends to the State House. This remains our objective and ultimate goal,” the statement reads.
For many observers, Yankuba’s stance reflects not only his personal loyalty but also his determination to prove that his earlier defense of Ousainou Darboe against internal critics was justified.
For years, some within the UDP had accused the veteran party leader of clinging to the flagbearer position at all costs, a stance they argue triggered the implosion now benefitting Talib Bensouda. Yankuba, however, stood firmly by Ousainou Darboe throughout that internal storm, positioning himself as the “footsoldier who was right to shield his leader.”
The rivalry between the two Darboes – Yankuba of Brikama and Talib of Kanifing – has now become the defining fault line in UDP politics.
While Bensouda’s camp argues that his mayoral mandate came from a diverse electorate that transcended party lines, Yankuba has countered sharply, insisting that no UDP-sponsored candidate can separate his victory from the party’s banner.
“I campaigned under a UDP umbrella, wore UDP clothes, had UDP banners, and my ballot box was UDP yellow! How can anybody claim to have voted for me but not UDP? For goodness’ sake, I was UDP in that election! No one else! It’s simple common sense,” Yankuba said on social media.
He further insisted, “The people who voted, who were not UDP, knew that you were a UDP candidate when they voted for you! Thus, they voted for you because you were UDP, just like UDP voters.”
Yet, as defections continue to ripple nationwide, the question remains whether Yankuba’s defiant loyalty can stem the tide.
What is clear, however, is that his rivalry with Talib Bensouda has now evolved into a battle for the very soul of the UDP, with Yankuba determined to prove that standing by Ousainou Darboe was not a mistake but a vindication.
