Bensouda Claims He Rejected NPP Offers of Ministerial Posts and 2026 Presidential Candidacy

By Fatou Sillah

Talib Ahmed Bensouda, leader of UNITE Party and presidential candidate of Coalition 2026, has claimed that he rejected several attempts by senior government officials to persuade him to join the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), including offers of ministerial appointments and the possibility of becoming the party’s presidential candidate in the December 2026 election.

Speaking at a Coalition 2026 rally in Kombo Sanyang, Mr. Bensouda alleged that his political differences with President Adama Barrow’s administration began in 2020, when government officials thought he was going to be the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) presidential candidate in the 2026 election.

According to Mr. Bensouda, then-Minister Musa Drammeh invited him to his office and encouraged him to join the NPP, promising that his political and personal demands would be accommodated if he accepted the offer.

He said he declined the proposal, after which the government established a ministerial commission. He did not provide further details about the commission or its connection to his refusal.

Mr. Bensouda claimed that another attempt was subsequently made to bring him into the ruling party, this time with the promise of a ministerial appointment.

He further alleged that a vice president invited him to a meeting and offered him the opportunity to choose any ministerial portfolio, along with the prospect of becoming the NPP’s presidential flagbearer in 2026.

The Coalition 2026 candidate said he rejected those proposals because he believed joining the ruling party would compromise his political principles.

“Anything that is not in the interest of Gambians, I will not follow that. The National People’s Party doesn’t have the interest of Gambians; all they care about is personal interests,” he said.

Mr. Bensouda portrayed his refusal to join the NPP as evidence of his commitment to political independence and his opposition to what he described as the government’s prioritization of personal interests over national development.

His allegations, which could not be independently verified, raise questions about the reported efforts to recruit him into the ruling party ahead of successive presidential elections.

Turning to the upcoming December 5 presidential election, Mr. Bensouda dismissed concerns about his candidacy, declaring that Coalition 2026 would proceed with the nomination process and contest the election.

He said the coalition had no intention of pursuing court action over his candidacy, expressing confidence that its presidential nomination would go ahead as planned.

Mr. Bensouda insisted that no political or legal obstacles would prevent Coalition 2026 from participating in the election.

His remarks come as political parties and presidential hopefuls intensify preparations for the December vote, with questions surrounding candidate eligibility and the nomination process drawing increasing public attention.