Aji Yam Secka Urges UDP Supporters to Mobilize for Darboe Ahead of 2026 Election

By Fatou Sillah

Aji Yam Secka, deputy leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has called on party members and supporters to intensify grassroots mobilization ahead of the December 2026 presidential election, expressing confidence that party leader Ousainou Darboe will defeat President Adama Barrow.

In an interview with Kerr Fatou, Secka said the UDP was making preparations behind the scenes and urged supporters to strengthen the party’s presence in wards and constituencies across the country.

She predicted that President Barrow would lose his bid for re-election, accusing his administration of failing to address the economic hardships facing ordinary Gambians.

“In Barrow’s conscience, he knows that he is going to lose the 2026 elections. Anybody that sees President Barrow knows that he’s going to be defeated. Whatever he does, he will not win,” she said.

Secka criticized what she described as a growing disconnect between government officials and ordinary citizens, accusing those in power of enjoying privileges while many Gambians struggle with rising living costs, hunger and financial insecurity.

She also expressed regret over her role in introducing Barrow to Gambians in 2016, when he emerged as the opposition coalition’s presidential candidate and went on to defeat longtime President Yahya Jammeh.

Secka apologized to Gambians for supporting Barrow’s candidacy at the time, suggesting that his administration had fallen short of the expectations that accompanied his rise to power.

Turning to the upcoming election, she urged voters to support Darboe, describing him as a principled and experienced political leader whose record of public service demonstrated his commitment to integrity and good governance.

She praised Darboe’s consistency throughout his political career and maintained that he had served in government without engaging in wrongdoing.

“The country needs a man like Ousainou Darboe because he’s an honest man,” she said.

Secka expressed confidence that Darboe possessed the leadership qualities needed to address The Gambia’s economic and governance challenges, reiterating her call for UDP supporters to expand their campaign activities nationwide ahead of the December vote.