By Kemo Kanyi
President Adama Barrow has predicted that United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainou Darboe will suffer a heavy defeat in The Gambia’s December presidential election.
Speaking to residents of Wulli during his ongoing Meet the People Tour at Taibatou Village, Barrow responded to remarks attributed to Darboe that he would defeat the incumbent even if he controlled the Central Bank of The Gambia.
Barrow said he generally did not respond to his critics but made an exception for Darboe, whom he referred to as his “father”.
“If people talk about me, I do not respond to them. But there is this individual in the name of my father Ousainou Darboe. Whenever he speaks about me, I must respond. I heard him say that even if I take ownership of the Central Bank, I will be defeated in the December election. I am telling him that he is going to suffer his worst defeat compared to the previous election,” Barrow remarked.
The president recalled his victory in the 2021 presidential election, saying his campaign was not financed by the Central Bank and that he secured a decisive victory to extend his mandate.
He also referred to former President Yahya Jammeh’s control of state institutions and resources, arguing that such advantages did not prevent his own coalition from defeating Jammeh in the 2016 election.
“Do you think someone who slaughtered an elephant will be unable to slaughter a chicken?” Barrow asked supporters in Wulli.
The president also responded to requests from residents concerning access roads to rice fields, feeder-road connectivity and electricity expansion.
He assured the communities that his government would intervene in these areas, while pointing to his administration’s development projects across the country as evidence of its record in office.
The Gambia is due to hold its presidential election on 5 December 2026.