By: Kemo Kanyi
The United Democratic Party (UDP) is seeing a competitive race for its flag bearer position as multiple candidates have filed applications to lead the party in the 2026 presidential election.
Senior Lawyer Lamin J. Darboe and Dr. Muhammed Danjo have both officially submitted their applications. They join the party’s long-serving Secretary General, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, and the Mayor of Kanifing Municipality, Talib Ahmed Bensouda, who had previously filed for the same position.
Ousainou Darboe, who is the UDP’s flag bearer since its inception in 1996, has contested numerous presidential elections but has yet to secure a victory. The presence of four different applicants signals a significant development in the party’s internal democracy. All aspiring candidates will now await the decision of the UDP’s selection committee.
The emerging race has already created a divide among key party members, with some continuing to support Ousainou Darboe while others have rallied behind Bensouda’s candidacy.
According to Alagie S. Darboe, the administrative secretary of the UDP, the total number of applications received since the process opened will be announced on Wednesday.