By: Kemo Kanyi
Ebrima Tabora Manneh, the leader for the opposition People’s Alliance Party (PAP), said that the government failure to address burning national issues is an opportunity for a united opposition to effect change in the upcoming presidential election.
Speaking to The Voice in an exclusive interview on Wednesday at his office in Banjul, Mr Manneh pointed out that the Barrow administration has failed to find solutions to rising corruption, underperforming public institutions, and poverty resulting to hunger in the country, among other pressing challenges Gambian citizens continue to face. Opposition must take up the challenge to enlighten the masses about these failures of the current administration.
“We must know the challenges, needs, and desires of citizens. Their cry for corruption, mismanagement, breach of trust, economic difficulties, fragile state of security, these issues must be put to the voters for them to understand the realities of the country,” he mentioned.
He stated that PAP aims at fostering unity, brings development, and eradicate poverty amongst citizens.
Asked whether his party is prepared to form an alliance with other parties, Mr Manneh reveals that their doors are opened for a resounding opposition alliance that will choose a selfless leader for the benefit of Gambians.
“I believe before the 2026 presidential election, opposition parties that have similar agenda will form a formidable coalition to challenge the incumbent. We are open to dialogue with genuine opposition parties for a possible coalition because the current state of the country is almost unbearable for citizens, especially the poor, and this should not continue beyond 2026. The leader should be someone who understands the concerns of Gambians, has sympathy, someone who will not betray the trust of Gambians, and is willing to serve the broader interest of the country. He must manifest characters of servanthood. This is the kind of leader a coalition government must present to Gambians,” he said.
The leader for the opposition People’s Alliance Party urges citizens not to allow themselves to be deceived by influences of gifts they may receive from the ruling government in their bid to stay in power, cautioning that the future of the country must be observed by all.