Darboe Urges Opposition Voters to Back Candidates With a Realistic Chance of Winning

By Fatou Sillah

Ousainu Darboe, leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and flagbearer of the Gambia First Coalition, has urged opposition supporters to vote for the candidates they believe have a realistic chance of winning, saying this could help bring about political change.

Speaking in an interview with Eye Africa, Darboe acknowledged that opposition fragmentation can be a disadvantage, but said voters can still drive change by rallying behind a party with a credible chance of victory.

He advised voters who feel their preferred party cannot win to consider supporting another opposition party they believe is better positioned.

“If I give them my vote, I’m just going to waste it, but I have hope that party E has the chance. Why don’t you give them your vote if you really want change?” he said.

Darboe also questioned why some who were dissatisfied with existing opposition parties formed new ones, only to later call for opposition unity. He added, however, that the presence of several opposition parties can have a positive side if voters choose to back the one they believe can win.

On the electoral process, he said he believed the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) would do everything possible to ensure the elections run smoothly.

The UDP leader also criticized the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) over its planned rally under the banner “Manjagoes for NPP.” He said political events should bring Gambians together regardless of tribe and noted that the opposition would face criticism if it organized a similar event.

Darboe called on President Adama Barrow to condemn the planned rally and distance himself from it, stressing the importance of leaders avoiding actions that could divide Gambians along tribal lines.