By Seedy Jobe
United Democratic Party leader Ousainu Darboe has urged members of his party and its coalition partners to avoid distractions and focus their efforts on winning the December 2026 presidential election.
Speaking at the UDP’s 30th anniversary awards ceremony in Manjai, Mr. Darboe said the opposition should concentrate on presenting its agenda to Gambians rather than engaging in what he described as frivolous and unproductive debates.
He said the party and its allies remained committed to building a country that Gambians could be proud of, describing that goal as a responsibility shaped by the UDP’s three decades of political activism.
Mr. Darboe said the opposition’s energy should now be directed toward persuading voters and building public support for its agenda ahead of the Dec. 5 election.
“We want to make sure that when we have another celebration, it is a celebration for the victory of the Gambian people,” he said, describing such a victory as one in which Gambians elect a government they believe they deserve.
Mr. Darboe said the Dec. 5 election should be treated not simply as an aspiration but as a concrete political objective requiring sustained work from the party and its partners.
He also paid tribute to party members honored during the anniversary celebrations, including those who have died, saying their contributions helped shape the UDP over its 30-year history.
“As we now close these celebrations, a victory testimony has been given to several of our compatriots who have contributed to the building of the United Democratic Party,” Mr. Darboe said. “Some of them are alive. Some of them have transitioned beyond.”
He said deceased members had left the current generation with both an assignment and a responsibility to continue their work.
“Those who have transited beyond have left us with an assignment,” he said. “Those who have transitioned beyond have left us with a responsibility.”
Comments are closed.