By Seedy Jobe
Sheriffo Bayo Sonko, Transport Councillor at the Brikama Area Council (BAC) and a staunch supporter of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has asserted that UDP leader Ousainou Darboe remains the most electable among all current opposition presidential hopefuls.
Speaking on Eye Africa TV’s Sunu Reew programme on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Sonko defended Darboe’s suitability to lead any prospective opposition coalition, citing the UDP’s electoral strength.
“UDP has the largest number, and Ousainu is more electable than all the candidates. That is something we all must agree on,” Sonko said.
He maintained that any coalition arrangement involving the UDP would require the party to assume leadership, arguing that recent election results clearly demonstrate its dominance.
“You know we must accept the truth. We all agree UDP is the biggest political party. As of now, what we see in the last election is that we are the biggest political party, and that is the fact. Because an election is where you determine numbers,” he stated.
While reaffirming the party’s openness to collaboration with other political groups, Sonko emphasized that the central issue remains who would lead such a coalition. He expressed confidence that a UDP-led alliance, supported by other parties, could defeat President Adama Barrow.
“Yes, our doors are open for other parties to come. How we are going to do it, that’s not the question now. The question now is who is going to lead a coalition, and our stand is we are ready to get into a coalition, but any coalition that we are going to get into, we have to lead it because we have the numbers, and we believe if others join us, we will beat Barrow,” he emphasized.
Sonko further highlighted Darboe’s credentials, describing him as the most qualified and experienced among the candidates.
“When it comes to qualifications, Ousainou is more qualified than all the candidates. He’s more experienced than all of them,” he said, adding that Darboe has made significant personal sacrifices for the country and has consistently stood up for the Gambian people. “When it comes to sacrifice, Ousainou sacrifices a lot for this country. He has consistently been standing for the people of this country.”
He also claimed that more than two registered political parties have already aligned themselves with the UDP, though he didn’t name them. This claim could not be independently verified.
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