By Fatou Sillah
Doudou Jah, a member of the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), has expressed confidence that President Adama Barrow is in a strong position to secure victory in the 2026 presidential election—even if it were held tomorrow.
Jah argued that President Barrow’s political strength stems from his alliance with multiple parties, which has created a broad base of support that no single opposition party can overcome on its own.
“Even the incumbent is in an alliance. He is not only relying on his party alone, but he also has other parties that are backing him, supporting him, and giving him all that he requires as far as politics is concerned. No single political party can unseat the incumbent,” Jah said.
He maintained that Barrow’s coalition strategy and consistent groundwork since his 2021 victory have positioned him favorably for reelection. “Of course, I believe he has a chance of winning the next presidential election in 2026. I always say, even tomorrow if Gambians have to go out there and vote for the present candidate, we have President Barrow, who will emerge the winner,” Jah asserted.
According to Jah, the president’s alliances across several political parties have consolidated his support nationwide, making it difficult for a divided opposition to mount an effective challenge. ”He is already in an alliance; that alone says that he has all that it takes to win the next presidential election,” he added.
Jah further noted that voters in the provinces often base their decisions on tangible development achievements rather than political manifestos. He argued that the opposition’s promises—such as improved access to water, education, healthcare, and roads—are projects the current government is already delivering. “And for them, as long as the government is giving it to them, they will vote again and again for that government,” Jah explained.
He cautioned that unless opposition parties unite under a single grand coalition, their chances of defeating President Barrow remain slim. “A grand coalition is to merge the one that already existed; you know that would be the advantage. Opposition in The Gambia is a challenge,” Jah said.
Jah concluded by noting that President Barrow has been strategically preparing for the 2026 election since his 2021 victory. “After winning the 2021 presidential election, he has laid out his strategies for how he can win 2026,” he stated.