By Fatou Krubally
United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainou Darboe has urged Gambians to reject the current government, citing persistent economic hardship and the administration’s failure to address key socio-economic issues.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at the UDP Manjai Bureau, following the conclusion of his nationwide tour, Darboe said the optimism that greeted the start of 2025 has given way to disappointment, with citizens struggling with rising prices, stagnant incomes, and limited access to basic services.
“We expected better conditions this year, including lower commodity prices, improved opportunities for farmers, accessible healthcare, and progress on a new constitution. What we found instead was despair and hardship across the country,” Darboe remarked.
He highlighted challenges faced by ordinary Gambians, noting complaints from farmers over high costs of fertiliser and cement, shortages of clean drinking water, and gaps in healthcare, including overcrowded neonatal incubators and inadequate resources for essential services.
Darboe also criticized what he described as a blurring of lines between party and government, asserting that President Adama Barrow’s recent nationwide engagements served the interests of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) rather than addressing national concerns.
The UDP leader further condemned government expenditure on luxury vehicles and consultancies, calling for funds to be redirected toward agriculture, education, healthcare, and research institutions. He said public projects funded by taxpayers should not be presented as personal favors by the president.
Concluding his remarks, Darboe called on Gambians to vote for a UDP-led administration in 2026, promising that the party would implement policies aimed at meeting citizens’ real needs.
“The only way to bring an end to this neglect is to reject the current government and install a United Democratic Party administration under my leadership,” he said.
Darboe pledged that the UDP would “deliver for the people at the right time, in the right way, and for the right beneficiaries.”