By Fatou Sillah
Photo Caption: Alagie S. Darboe, Senior Administrative Secretary of the United Democratic Party (UDP)
The Senior Administrative Secretary of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Alagie S. Darboe, has dismissed claims of internal disunity within the party, insisting that the UDP remains united, focused, and confident of victory in the 2026 presidential election.
Speaking in an interview with QTV, Darboe said the party leadership does not tolerate conduct that goes against its core values and guiding principles.
“Anytime anybody behaves in a manner that is not in conformity with the norms and values of the party, that is not the position of the party, whoever is doing that in any forum, that is not the position of the party, and that is not the style of the party,” he stated.
Darboe, who also represents Brikama North in the National Assembly, described his constituency as a stronghold of the UDP, emphasizing that the party continues to command significant support there and is making further gains nationwide.
“By records, Brikama North is a powerhouse of UDP, and that is still in place. We are still hopeful that come the 2026 presidential elections, UDP will prevail,” he said.
When asked about strategies to close the vote gap between the UDP and the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), Darboe said the party’s primary goal is to eliminate that margin. “Our target is the difference between us and President Barrow. We are going to get rid of that, and then eventually UDP will prevail,” he said.
On the issue of potential alliances, Darboe reiterated that the UDP has always been open to forming coalitions under fair and principled conditions. “We have always been open to alliance since 1996, and we will continue to do so. Coalition building comes with terms and principles, and we comply with those. If at the end of the day UDP is selected, that is not UDP’s making,” he explained.
Responding to critics who claim that young people are losing interest in the UDP leader and presidential candidate, Ousainou Darboe, the senior administrative secretary said youth engagement in the party’s grassroots consultations demonstrates sustained enthusiasm and loyalty.
He further noted that while some UDP supporters abstained from voting in previous elections due to fears of electoral malpractice, the party has learned valuable lessons and is now better prepared to secure victory in 2026.
“Next presidential election, it is a must-win; we will do it and win. The division was a minus in terms of numbers, but equally, it will result in galvanizing the party,” he concluded.