Darboe to Barrow: Even With the Central Bank on Your Side, You’ll Lose This Year

By Seedy Jobe

The leader of the United Democratic Party, Ousainu Darboe, has predicted that President Adama Barrow will lose the Dec. 5 presidential election regardless of the resources at his disposal, accusing the president of using state funds to bolster his re-election campaign.

Mr. Darboe, the UDP’s secretary general and presidential candidate, made the remarks in an interview with Hill Top FM, where he rejected assertions from members of Mr. Barrow’s camp that the election was already “game over” in favor of the incumbent.

He said those declarations appeared at odds with Mr. Barrow’s own warnings to supporters not to underestimate the opposition.

“Someone who said ‘game over’ will not say, ‘Don’t underrate me,’” Mr. Darboe said. “He knows what is facing him.”

Mr. Darboe portrayed the president’s repeated nationwide tours as a sign that the governing camp was concerned about the election, arguing that Mr. Barrow was aware of growing dissatisfaction among Gambians.

He also criticized the president over what he described as his failure to speak out against divisive ethnic rhetoric and to adequately address the country’s challenges.

Mr. Darboe expressed confidence that voters seeking what he called progress and peace would support his candidacy on Dec. 5, saying he believed “God has already done his part.”

He also dismissed arguments by the governing National People’s Party that the Barrow administration’s development record—particularly its expansion of electricity access and road construction—would be enough to secure another term.

Mr. Darboe said that while the president’s supporters frequently tout those projects, Mr. Barrow’s own warning against underestimating his opponents suggested that he understood the election remained competitive.

The UDP leader also accused the president of using state resources for political campaigning. He acknowledged that the law allows the president to travel around the country but argued that public funds should not be used to finance partisan political activity.

Mr. Darboe said it was particularly disappointing to see people who once criticized former President Yahya Jammeh for using state resources during election campaigns now supporting what he described as similar or worse practices under Mr. Barrow.

“Even if he goes with the Central Bank, he will lose this year,” Mr. Darboe said.

Addressing a recent wave of defections to the NPP, Mr. Darboe said politicians who had chosen to support Mr. Barrow were entitled to make their own decisions and that he would not disparage them for doing so.

He also accused the governing party of exploiting ethnic divisions to weaken his candidacy, alleging that some NPP supporters were seeking to portray the UDP as a Mandinka party and turn members of other ethnic groups against Mandinkas.

Mr. Darboe said such a strategy would fail because Gambians are deeply connected across ethnic lines through marriage, family ties, and a shared history.

He further alleged that Mr. Barrow’s failure to publicly condemn such rhetoric raised questions about whether it was tolerated within the governing party. Mr. Darboe did not provide evidence that the president had personally approved such a strategy.

Responding to criticism about his age and calls for him to retire from politics, Mr. Darboe said he had not imposed himself as a political leader but had been chosen by his supporters.

He added that political parties and prominent individuals had joined the coalition supporting his candidacy because of a shared desire to unseat the Barrow administration, which he accused of presiding over poor governance.