President Barrow Says December Presidential Election To Be Unprecedented As Four Former VPs Challenging Him

By Makutu Manneh

President Adama Barrow has described the upcoming December 5 presidential election as unprecedented in The Gambia’s political history, citing the participation of four former vice presidents who are either contesting or expressing interest in contesting the country’s highest office.

Speaking at a National People’s Party (NPP) mega rally in Brikama on Saturday, President Barrow noted that three of the contenders previously served as his vice presidents, while the fourth held the position during the First Republic.

“This election will be different from any other in our history because four former vice presidents are challenging me,” Barrow told supporters. “Three of them served under my administration, while one served during the First Republic.”

Despite the unusual political landscape, Barrow said he remains unfazed by the challenge.

“I am not worried by this. They were all my vice presidents. I know them all, and I know what they can and cannot do,” he said.

The President went on to question the capabilities of his prospective rivals, describing them as advanced in age and suggesting that they no longer possess the energy required for the demands of national leadership.

Using a local expression, Barrow remarked that some of his challengers are at a stage where they need to be “pushed to start and broken to stop,” adding that he remains confident about his prospects in the election.

“Because of this, I sleep well at night because I know they cannot do anything,” he said.

Among the former vice presidents either contesting or publicly expressing interest in the December 5 presidential election are Ousainu Darboe, who served as vice president from June 2018 to March 2019; Fatoumatta Tambajang, who held the position from February 2017 to June 2018; and Isatou Touray, who served from March 2019 to May 2022 under President Barrow’s administration.

Also prominent with a political party is Bakary Bunja Darboe, popularly known as BB Darboe, who served as vice president under former President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara from 1982 to 1992.