Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, Secretary General and Party Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP)
By Buba Gagigo
The Secretary General and Party Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, has sharply criticized what he described as “systemic governance failures” under President Adama Barrow, blaming widespread corruption and a lack of accountability in the NPP/APRC administration for the hardships facing Gambians.
Speaking during the UDP’s convention in Seattle, USA, Darboe said the party is rallying its members around a “Gambia First” agenda, pledging to prioritize integrity, transparency, and the delivery of essential public services.
“Our country is facing significant challenges; a very large segment of our population is suffering. And there is only one reason for this terrible predicament, and that is a total and systemic governance failure under Adama Barrow and his NPP/APRC administration,” Darboe declared. “At the heart of the governance failure is the endemic corruption that has permeated deep into every facet of government and made worse by the undeniable, blatant impunity and total lack of accountability,” Darboe said.
The UDP leader argued that a country as “overwhelmed” by corruption as The Gambia under President Barrow cannot meet the basic needs of its citizens. Saying, “How else is it possible for a government that allocates and spends billions of Dalasis every year on itself to not be able to provide even the basics of life for our small population of 2.5 million people? Corruption has become the system, and impunity its partner.”
Darboe noted that every stolen dalasi represents a tangible loss to Gambians—whether it is a hospital bed not purchased, a teacher or police officer underpaid, an unbuilt road, delayed food security goals, rising insecurity, or the dashed hopes of children and persons with disabilities.
He stressed that the UDP offers “the best opportunity to end corruption and invest in the people,” adding that honesty and integrity are not slogans but essential principles of leadership.
“This is wrong, and it can and must be ended. Our party offers the Gambian people the best opportunity to end corruption and invest in the people. For UDP , honesty and integrity are not mere words or slogans. They are necessary tools of people-centered governance where leaders succeed in serving their people by combining good plans with the inspiration that flows from the honesty and integrity they exhibit in public conduct. Honest leaders by definition, will not be corrupt, and neither will they tolerate corruption. The dividend in honest leadership goes beyond the tremendous immediate savings it generates; it is the culture of ethics it nurtures across society that rewards good and imposes accountability for wrongdoing,” he said.
Darboe urged party members to prioritize the struggle for a better Gambia over personal or factional interests. “Our opponents know that the UDP is strongest when united. They will try to create division within our ranks. But what binds us together is far greater than any disagreement. Those disagreements and debates are part of the democracy we cherish in UDP . We debate robustly with dignity and together we fight for The Gambia,” he said.
Loyoking ahead to the 2026 elections, Darboe warned that the incumbent would “do everything to cling to power” but framed this as both a challenge and an opportunity. Saying “The next elections are just months away. The incumbent, consumed by corruption and ineffectiveness, will do everything and anything to cling to power. We should see that not only as a challenge, but as an opportunity too. Our task is to show every voter that the UDP has the plan, the leadership, and the integrity to deliver real change. We promise that this change will indeed be a real system change.”
Darboe called on supporters to keep their focus on President Barrow and what he described as a corrupt and failed NPP administration, while also showing respect to other opposition parties.
“Let us respect all other opposition parties. We welcome the idea of working together in the interest of our people. Anyone working to remove the Barrow government shares in the noble goal of giving Gambians a better future.I wish to reiterate the advice I give to our members and supporters at every opportunity such as this gathering and that is to honor and respect all our opponents and competitors. We must resist provocations and we must always strive to persuade and not hector. And within our ranks we must all strive at all times to be good team members. Every member or supporter, old or new and in between deserves equal respect and we must all see ourselves as members of one big family,” he said.
He concluded by stressing that a united party with a solid plan, an honest candidate, and grassroots engagement would be well-positioned to win in 2026.
“Our mission for 2026 is simple: Go for every vote, everywhere. Secure those votes until they are cast and counted. Comrades, The road will not be easy, but together we can, and we will, build the Gambia we deserve,” Darboe said.