MC Cham Jr, Business Counselor KMC
By Seedy Jobe
MC Cham Jr., a business councilor at the Kanifing Municipal Council and a member of the Unite Movement for Change, has challenged claims by the ruling National People’s Party that President Adama Barrow is well-positioned to win re-election in 2026, arguing that such assertions ignore the economic pressures facing many Gambians.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Jan. 17, Mr. Cham said that the government’s focus on infrastructure development has failed to address what he described as the daily realities of ordinary citizens.
“What truly matters to most families is the state of the economy, the rising cost of food, and the daily struggle to put meals on the table,” he said. While President Barrow frequently points to visible infrastructure projects, Mr. Cham argued that “the lived reality for many citizens tells a different story,” citing rising prices of basic goods and stagnant incomes.
Mr. Cham also criticized President Barrow’s intention to seek a third term, warning that it poses a risk to democratic principles. He recalled that the 2016 election was driven by public demand for change, including respect for term limits, accountability, and good governance.
“Those values remain deeply important to many Gambians today,” he said.
According to Mr. Cham, there is growing public sentiment in favor of new leadership and a clearer national direction. He contended that a united opposition could defeat the incumbent president if it coalesced around a credible alternative.
“A credible third coalition, with a transformative candidate like Talib Ahmed Bensouda, can defeat Barrow,” he said, describing Mr. Bensouda as a leader who embodies competence and inclusiveness. Such qualities, he added, could help bridge political divides and strengthen national unity.
The UMC stalwart cautioned that Gambians are not easily “deceived” by election season promises pushed by the government operatives.
“They demand honest leadership, economic relief, and a future where dignity, opportunity, and fairness are restored. That is the change many are still waiting for”.
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