Gomez: Barrow’s Main Political Concern Is Now Bensouda, Not Darboe

By Fatou Sillah

UNITE’s Deputy Party Leader for Governance and Public Policy, Nenneh Freda Gomez, has said President Adama Barrow’s political focus has shifted from UDP leader Ousainou Darboe to UNITE leader Talib Bensouda, citing Bensouda’s growing support, organisation and political influence.

Speaking at Kerr Fatou, Gomez argued that Bensouda’s emergence has changed the political landscape. She claimed that Barrow would not have sought a third term had Darboe not been chosen as the UDP’s flagbearer.

“If Ousainou Darboe was not on the ballot, was not chosen as the UDP flagbearer, Barrow would never have sought a third term. I can tell you that for a fact,” she said.

According to Gomez, the National People’s Party (NPP) initially welcomed Darboe’s selection, viewing it as an advantage for Barrow. She said the party saw Darboe as a candidate who would make the election easier for the incumbent.

She said that calculation changed because the NPP did not anticipate the level of support Bensouda would later build. In her view, he has since developed substantial political backing, organisational structures, a strong following and considerable influence, prompting the governing side to turn its attention to him.

“But by then they did not think that Talib Bensouda was going to be where he is today. That was a miscalculation,” she said.

Gomez maintained that Darboe is therefore no longer the main concern for Barrow and the NPP, adding that Bensouda’s rise has altered the political equation ahead of the presidential election.