President Barrow Accuses Rival Candidates of Seeking Office for Personal Gain

By Makutu Manneh

President Adama Barrow has accused his rivals in the December 5 presidential election of pursuing office for personal gain rather than to serve the country.

Speaking at State House during a meeting with more than 10 associations, including painters, gymnasts and driving schools, the president said many of the candidates were looking for employment, while others wanted to use the presidency as a business venture. He added that some believed they had wealth but lacked power and sought to combine the two in order to control Gambians.

“Some candidates know that they cannot win, but they want to build their CVs so that people know they were once presidential candidates,” he said, adding that all of them were motivated by self-interest.

President Barrow also argued that his opponents were benefiting from his government’s achievements. He said the roads they drive on, the electricity they use, the water they drink, the schools their children attend and the hospitals they visit were all provided or built under his administration.

He said the candidates challenging him at the polls were aware that The Gambia under his leadership was different from what it had been before. He expressed confidence that Gambians understood what was at stake and knew what choice to make.

The president noted that, despite the large number of candidates, he stood apart from them as the sitting President of the Republic of The Gambia.

“You gave me work, you made many requests, and I also made many promises. This means my campaign this year is about accountability between me and Gambians,” he said.

He said that once this accountability exercise was complete, Gambians could decide whether or not to return him to office. He added that if the people felt he owed them nothing at the end of the process, then he too would owe them nothing.