Sources in the opposition circles have informed JollofNews that religious and regional governments minister Hamat N. K Bah was among senior government functionaries, who were propping up Talib Bensouda’s presidential ambition, but the long-time politician said he will never render support to the KMC mayor to challenge President Adama Barrow or Lawyer Ousainou Darboe.
According to sources, minister Bah has already given Mr. Bensouda the assurance that he would offer him both moral and operational support to defeat President Barrow in next year’s presidential election if he succeeds in his bid for the UDP flagbearer role.
The UDP flagbearer selection later this month is being watched with keen interest both in The Gambia and beyond.
The selection, which is expected to be a three-man race between Lawyer Lamin J. Darboe, Talib Bensouda and Ousainou Darboe, will be a defining moment and a consequential exercise for the UDP.
Many observers say the Gambia’s main opposition party risks an implosion if the approaching flagbearer selection process is not well-managed.
The party is now dealing with factionalism, which appears to have also opened up another threat landscape to its unity.
Sources informed JollofNews that Bensouda has been enjoying support from both the governing and opposition parties. Cabinet minister and secretary-general of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP) Hamat Bah, whose party is currently a coalition partner to the ruling NPP, has reportedly promised to jump onto Bensouda’s bandwagon if he emerges victorious in the approaching UDP flagbearer selection exercise.
“That is a total lie,” Bah stated when contacted by JollofNews. “I will never support him [Talib] for running against Adama Barrow or Ousainou Darboe. What a story full of deliberate lies.”
Political commentators say the NPP stands to gain more from any division within the UDP than any other party or the UDP itself.
