By Haddy Touray
National Democratic Party (NDP) leader Kebba Madi Bojang says he is not desperate to become president, but would accept the responsibility if Gambians choose him in the 2026 presidential election.
Speaking in an interview with Mengbe Kering TV, Bojang said the decision on who should lead the country ultimately rests with God and the Gambian people.
“It depends on whether Gambians say, ‘Here it is.’ But it will not be a case of Kebba forcing himself and saying he wants it,” he remarked.
Bojang said the NDP’s presidential candidate could emerge through the party’s grassroots structures and that he would accept the outcome of the process.
He also ruled out engaging in public disputes over who should lead the opposition, saying the priority should be to defeat President Adama Barrow and bring about a change of government in 2026.
NDP Open to Opposition Alliances
Bojang also dismissed speculation that his recent political silence indicated negotiations with the United Democratic Party (UDP).
He said the NDP was prepared to cooperate with other opposition parties and that no potential alliance should be ruled out ahead of the election.
Responding to remarks by UDP leader, lawyer A.N.M. Ousainu Darboe about having a “long rope” in politics, Bojang responded humorously.
“Baba said they have a long rope. Let them keep their long rope and let it not become short,” he said.
“Because if my rope is longer than theirs, then he and his people will join me.”
Bojang Defends NDP Funding
The NDP leader also addressed questions surrounding the financing of his party, defending political fundraising and lobbying as normal aspects of building and sustaining a political organization.
He argued that political parties need financial support from both domestic and international sources to fund their activities.
Bojang said it was unfair to single out the NDP over its sources of funding when other political parties also receive financial support for vehicles, campaigns and other activities.
He said he was prepared to disclose the NDP’s sources of funding, provided other political parties were willing to do the same.
“If all the political parties come and explain who sponsors them and their sources of income, I will also tell them my source of funding,” he said.
“If they want to know mine, I must know theirs first.”
According to Bojang, financial support received by the NDP reflected the confidence of its supporters in the party’s potential to become a significant political force.
He said the party would continue strengthening its structures and preparing for the 2026 presidential election.
Bojang said the NDP’s broader objective was to contribute to a change in leadership and support the emergence of a government capable of advancing The Gambia’s development.
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