The United Democratic Party (UDP) has announced that 11 candidates have applied to become the party’s next flagbearer, marking a historic moment in its leadership journey.
As party commences vetting process today, the Applicants include ANM Ousainu Darboe, Talib Ahmed Bensouda, Amadou Sanneh, Hon. Sulayman Saho, lawyer Borry S. Touray, Dr Lamin J. Darboe, Lamin SN. Ceesay, Karamo Fatty, Amadou Sanneh, Lamin Jawara, Lamin Jobe and Dr Muhammad Danjo.
These aspirants are all distinguished professionals from business, law, politics, and medicine backgrounds.
At a press briefing held yesterday at the Party’s Bureau in Manjai, Kanifing Municipality, Alagie S. Darboe, the Administrative Secretary of the UDP, said the party regards the development as a reflection of its democratic values, unity, and readiness for renewal, emphasizing that the process will focus on dialogue and collective vision for the future of The Gambia.
He emphasised that in accordance with the UDP Constitution, the applications will undergo a structured and transparent process. This includes interviews and vetting of all applicants, grassroots consultations across the country to gauge support and perspectives, an assessment of each applicant’s commitment to the UDP and their moral standing within the community.
As part of this process, he stated, the Council of Elders will also engage the applicants in dialogue, with the objective of reaching consensus on a single flagbearer who embodies the unity, vision, and values of the UDP.
However, he noted that in the event consensus could not be reached, the Constitution provides for an election. This election will be conducted by the National Executive Committee (NEC), comprising 65 members plus two representatives from each of the eight regions (16 in total).
According to the Admin Secretary, the UDP remains committed to democracy, transparency, and unity as “we take this important step in selecting our flagbearer to lead the Party and the Gambian people into the 2026 presidential elections”.
