By Fatou Sillah
Sheriffo Bayo Sonko, a transport councillor at the Brikama Area Council and a senior member of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has said a political coalition with the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) remains possible, even after GDC leader Mama Kandeh ruled out any such alliance.
Speaking in an interview with Teledal TV, Mr. Sonko said discussions about cooperation between the two parties had not been entirely foreclosed.
“There is no marriage between the GDC and UDP, but we had the intention to do a coalition with the GDC. There’s a possibility for us to have a coalition with the GDC,” he said.
His remarks come against the backdrop of repeated statements by Mr. Kandeh dismissing the idea of a partnership with the UDP ahead of future elections.
Mr. Sonko said the UDP remained open to engagement with other political actors across the country, framing coalition-building as part of a broader strategy to expand its political reach.
“UDP, we don’t relent; we will go for them because one thing is clear, that we are going for everybody. Even my party leader said the same thing,” he said.
He also urged political unity, arguing that cooperation among parties was essential for national progress and electoral success. “Let us all talk to our leaders; let’s come together because the way the country is going, unity is what can give us the results,” he said.
Mr. Sonko further emphasized the importance of leadership and numbers in electoral politics, suggesting that the UDP’s past performance gives it an advantage in any coalition discussions.
“When we are going for a coalition talk, one thing is very important to us, which is the leadership. Election is about numbers; if you go through statistics in the last electoral cycle, you will see that UDP has the majority of votes,” he said.
He added that parties interested in coalition arrangements should consider aligning with the UDP, citing its electoral strength, including its performance in recent mayoral elections.
“Because of all those facts, we feel like if parties are ready for us to have a coalition, it is very simple that the parties come and join UDP,” he said.
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