United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainou Darboe has accused President Adama Barrow’s government of silencing accountability after police allegedly forced the Auditor General out of office, branding the act a troubling sign of abuse of power and contempt for transparency.
Darboe made the remarks at the Manjai political bureau while welcoming 50 new supporters from Sukuta Jamisa who defected from the APRC and the ruling NPP to join the UDP. He seized on the moment to denounce what he described as the regime’s deliberate dismantling of institutions tasked with holding government accountable.
“The police went to the Auditor General to evict him from office someone who ensures accountability and exposes the corruption President Adama Barrow has brought to this country,” Darboe told the gathering. He added that the eviction was not just an attack on an individual, but on the principles of good governance that Gambians fought for.
According to Darboe, the fight for democracy and accountability remains incomplete. He reminded his supporters that while Barrow was brought to power with the help of opposition forces in 2016, Gambians are now saddled with a government that has betrayed their trust. “We did it halfway, but the other half still remains and that’s to remove President Adama Barrow,” he declared.
The UDP leader reaffirmed his intention to run in the 2026 presidential election, casting his bid as an obligation to the nation rather than a personal quest. “It’s not about position, popularity or name. Around the world, Ousainou Darboe’s name is known. My service is to end these wrongs, and that’s why I said I will contest in 2026,” he said.
Darboe also used the occasion to address critics who argue that he cannot lead the UDP to victory after a string of unsuccessful presidential bids dating back to 1996. He dismissed such claims as baseless, insisting that his losses have never been the result of free and fair contests. “Lawyer Ousainou Darboe has never contested in a free and fair election in this country and lost it,” he said, drawing applause from his supporters. To strengthen his argument, he cited a recent Eyeafrica TV talk show where a panelist allegedly revealed that the 2021 election was manipulated.
The veteran politician argued that repeated claims of his supposed electoral weakness were designed to undermine his leadership and sow division within the UDP. “These are unfounded words meant to distract us. But our supporters believe I am the one who can save this country,” he said. He encouraged party faithfuls to turn such criticism into motivation rather than discouragement.
On the issue of age, Darboe brushed aside concerns that at 77 he is too old to govern. He argued that wisdom and maturity come with age, telling supporters: “The more you grow older, the more your mind matures.” He urged Gambians to judge candidates based on their ideas, programs, and commitment to the nation rather than the number of years they have lived.
Darboe further intensified his attack on President Barrow, describing him as the root cause of the country’s current challenges. “President Adama Barrow is the catalyst of the problems Gambians are facing. Adama Barrow is our problem, not me,” he said. He accused the president of presiding over corruption and incompetence while turning state institutions into tools of political survival.
Calling for greater grassroots activism, Darboe urged every UDP supporter to become a “campaign manager” and “ambassador” for the party in the lead-up to 2026. “If we put a stop to the useless words circulating, we will surely remove President Adama Barrow,” he told the crowd. He insisted that the UDP’s strength lies in its members’ ability to mobilize communities and challenge the government at every level.
Darboe’s fiery speech came at a politically sensitive moment, as defections from the APRC and NPP underscored cracks in Barrow’s base of support. The sight of former ruling party and government loyalists crossing into the UDP camp highlighted the shifting dynamics of Gambian politics ahead of the next election.
As tensions mount, Darboe’s accusation that the government is using police power to silence oversight institutions is likely to sharpen criticism of Barrow’s record on governance and corruption. The UDP leader’s declaration of candidacy, delivered alongside the reception of defectors from Barrow’s political allies, sets the tone for what promises to be a bruising political battle as the country marches toward 2026.
At Sukuta, the message from Darboe was clear: the UDP will not only contest the next election but will do so on the grounds of accountability, integrity, and a direct challenge to what he calls the failures of the Barrow administration. With the political stakes rising and opposition forces rallying, Gambians can expect a fierce struggle for the country’s future in the years ahead.
