By Fatou Sillah
Lamin J.K. Sanneh, the United Democratic Party’s deputy administrative secretary for social affairs and fundraising, has dismissed claims that the party’s leader, Ousainou Darboe, is not a viable contender for the presidency, calling such assertions unfounded as political maneuvering intensifies ahead of the 2026 elections.
In an interview with Kerr Fatou, Mr. Sanneh said suggestions that the UDP should not lead a coalition because Mr. Darboe lacks electoral appeal were “baseless,” insisting that the party remains confident in its leadership and national support.
“To say that we will not accept a UDP-led coalition because Darboe is not a winnable candidate is baseless,” he said.
Mr. Sanneh emphasized that the UDP’s political ambitions, he said, are driven less by the pursuit of power than by concern over the country’s economic hardships. Rising living costs and dependence on imported goods, he argued, have placed growing strain on ordinary Gambians.
“We are not seeking the presidency for ourselves but to help Gambians,” he said. “Livelihood is very expensive in the country, and the things we consume are all imported.”
He reiterated that the party remains open to forming coalitions, pointing to its participation in a multi-party alliance during the 2021 elections as evidence of its willingness to collaborate. But he suggested that any coalition must reflect political realities, noting the UDP’s size and influence.
“We are open to coalition; we did in 2021 with other parties,” Mr. Sanneh said. “We want the best for this country. We formed this party to look for the presidency, and we are the biggest; you have never seen a bigger party joining a small party.”
Addressing questions about public skepticism regarding Mr. Darboe’s electability, Mr. Sanneh challenged the premise itself, asking how a “winnable candidate” should be defined and by whom.
He added that the UDP’s coalition strategy is guided by what it sees as the national interest rather than political rivalry or personal ambition, while lamenting what he described as a broader lack of honesty in public discourse.
“Sometimes we see that there is lots of dishonesty in our society,” he said.