By Fatou Sillah
The National Unity Party (NUP) has argued that calls for presidential term limits should be matched by similar reforms within political parties, saying leaders who advocate constitutional limits on executive power must also embrace leadership rotation in their own organizations.
Speaking in an interview with Star TV, NUP spokesperson Saidina Abubacarr Jarjou said the party was founded on the principle that political leadership should not remain concentrated in the hands of one individual for decades.
“If you are advocating for term limits, you should first ensure that they are applied within your own governance structure. That is what the NUP believes in,” Jarjou said.
He argued that many political parties in The Gambia have become closely identified with long-serving leaders, making them personality-driven rather than institution-based.
According to Jarjou, the NUP was established to promote a different political culture—one in which the party belongs to its members rather than any single individual.
He said the party believes durable democratic governance depends on strong institutions and transparent systems rather than the influence of individual leaders. He added that Gambians should be able to determine how they are governed through accountable and transparent institutions.
Jarjou said the NUP supports a two-term limit not only for holders of public office but also for leaders of political parties, describing leadership renewal as essential to democratic development and effective governance.
“The party is not about the individual; it is about the system,” he said. “That is why we are advocating for system change based on the rule of law. We believe every leader should serve no more than two terms, whether in government or in opposition, and that our entire system of governance should be accountable and transparent to the Gambian people.”
His remarks come amid renewed national debate over presidential term limits and broader constitutional reforms, issues that have remained central to discussions on governance and democratic accountability in The Gambia.
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