Darboe Says Barrow’s Call for Continuity Means More Corruption, Hardship, and Broken Promises

By Seedy Jobe

United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainu Darboe has urged residents of Dippa Kunda to reject President Adama Barrow’s call for continuity, arguing that another term under the incumbent would mean continued corruption, economic hardship, and unfulfilled promises.

Speaking at a joint UDP political meeting in Dippa Kunda on Friday, Mr. Darboe accused the Barrow administration of mismanaging public resources, failing to address deteriorating living conditions and neglecting essential infrastructure.

The meeting was held alongside Basamba Drammeh, who recently endorsed the Gambia First Coalition (GFC)-UDP-led alliance.

Mr. Darboe praised Mr. Drammeh for what he described as his commitment to the welfare of Dippa Kunda residents, saying the young political figure had placed community interests above personal gain.

He described Mr. Drammeh as a young man of integrity who was more concerned about the challenges facing his community than advancing his own financial interests.

The UDP leader pointed to the poor condition of roads in Dippa Kunda, recounting how his delegation had been forced to take several detours while traveling to the meeting because some routes were impassable.

According to Mr. Darboe, Mr. Drammeh had made improving the area’s road network a priority, insisting that residents deserved tangible development rather than repeated promises.

He said road maintenance had become something residents frequently heard about but rarely experienced, adding that Mr. Drammeh wanted to see those promises translated into visible improvements.

Mr. Darboe urged residents to support Mr. Drammeh and the GFC-UDP alliance, arguing that the development aspirations of the community could be realized under a UDP-led government.

He emphasized that the upcoming presidential election should not be determined by ethnic or religious considerations but by the collective interests of Gambians.

Using the Serrekunda market as an example, Mr. Darboe said traders did not charge customers different prices based on whether they supported the NPP, UDP, GDC, or another political party.

He argued that rising prices and economic hardship affected all Gambians regardless of their political affiliations, making the country’s economic challenges a shared national concern.

The veteran opposition leader called on citizens to exercise independent judgment and resist political manipulation, urging them not to allow others to influence their decisions for personal or partisan benefit.

He maintained that Gambians had the power to determine their political future and should use their votes to bring about meaningful change.

Turning to President Barrow’s re-election campaign, Mr. Darboe challenged the president’s repeated calls for continuity, questioning what another term would mean for ordinary Gambians.

He argued that the continuity being promoted by the president amounted to preserving what he described as a system characterized by corruption, economic difficulties, and poor governance.

As an example, Mr. Darboe cited allegations surrounding the allocation of state land, accusing the government of distributing valuable public properties among a select group of individuals.

He described the alleged allocations as evidence of corruption and questioned whether the government was managing national resources in the public interest.

The UDP leader also raised concerns about public investments in eco-lodges, alleging that millions of dalasis had been spent without adequate accountability.

He questioned what had become of the funds and accused the government of failing to investigate or address the alleged mismanagement.

Mr. Darboe argued that re-electing President Barrow would effectively allow the administration to continue placing public resources in the hands of individuals who, in his view, had failed to manage them responsibly.

The UDP leader also criticized the government’s economic management, pointing to the depreciation of the dalasi and its impact on household purchasing power.

He accused President Barrow of failing to take effective measures to strengthen the national currency and ease the financial pressures facing Gambians.

According to Mr. Darboe, another term for the incumbent would mean continued currency weakness and worsening living conditions.

He argued that the president’s call for continuity offered little reassurance to citizens struggling with the rising cost of basic commodities.

Mr. Darboe also accused President Barrow of failing to honor commitments made to voters, challenging the president’s warnings against politicians who make promises they cannot fulfill.

He recalled that Mr. Barrow had allegedly promised residents of Dippa Kunda that the price of a bag of rice would fall to D700 if they voted for him.

The UDP leader questioned whether that pledge had been fulfilled, asking the crowd to reflect on the difference between the president’s campaign promises and the economic realities they currently faced.

Mr. Darboe maintained that Gambians should judge the administration by its record rather than its renewed promises, urging voters in Dippa Kunda and across the country to reject the president’s appeal for continuity in the December 5 presidential election.