Ebrima Nyang, GDC Administrative Secretary
By Fatou Sillah
Ebrima Nyang, the administrative secretary of the Gambia Democratic Congress, said on Tuesday that his party would neither impose its leader on opposition coalition negotiations nor accept a coalition in which a leader is forced upon it ahead of the 2026 presidential election.
Mr. Nyang said the GDC supports efforts to form a broad opposition coalition to challenge President Adama Barrow but stressed that any alliance must be grounded in the national interest, credibility, and electoral viability—not coercion.
“The GDC will not impose Hon. Mamma in any negotiations, but he will be offered as a candidate in any negotiations, but we are also cognizant that the GDC might also be led in a coalition. This being said, the GDC will not entertain any coalition negotiations where a party leader or an independent aspiring candidate will be imposed on us,” he said.
He said the party would be open to supporting a coalition led by another candidate, provided that individual demonstrates competence and credibility. “The GDC will welcome a coalition either led by our party leader or led by another candidate, provided that person is credible, well-articulated, understands the problems of this country, and can offer real solutions that serve the national interest,” he said.
Mr. Nyang criticized the notion that a coalition must rally behind a single party’s candidate as counterproductive and dismissive of other opposition groups.
“The belief that it is our candidate or no way cannot be entertained and must be avoided for a way forward. We believe it is not respectful to other parties because we all need each other to get the result we need in December,” he said.
He warned that attempts to impose leadership could undermine efforts to build a united opposition ahead of the 2026 vote, emphasizing the need for cooperation and mutual respect.
“The GDC door is always open for concerted efforts to bring about the needed change and such an approach must be done with respect and maturity for a headway,” He Said.
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