President Adama Barrow has come clean to say he would contest the next presidential elections in 2026.
In a recent interview granted QTV, the president, who has been beating around the bush all this while about his intention to run for a third term in office, has come out loud and clear when such a question was posed to him.
He said: “Let me provide you with a direct answer: Yes, I will be contesting in the next presidential election.”
He further substantiates his answer or position with a calculating reason for not wanting to let go the presidential office, saying: “This is not just about President Barrow; it’s about the future of my party. My party is still in its infancy, and I believe we are not yet equipped to sustain losing our leader at this critical stage. My party is still very young and I don’t believe we are organised enough to handle losing our leader at this crucial moment.”
He went on: “It’s not about the size of my party, but rather its stage of development and maturity, which is why we believe it’s too early. We want to ensure our party has a lasting impact and does not fade away before it fully matures.
“My entire support base believes that my departure at this time would jeopardize the party’s future, and I have no intention of risking its viability. I envision this party as a lasting institution in Gambian politics, and I am committed to ensuring its relevance for the next century.
“I have no personal experience in Gambian politics beyond the fact that I successfully defeated a dictator who had been in power for 22 years. We all believed that defeating Yahya Jammeh through the ballot box was impossible in this country. However, with God’s intervention, I managed to achieve that victory.
“Therefore, I have proven myself in that regard. I have demonstrated my capabilities during my presidency, and those around me – especially my former party – believed that my rise to power was solely due to their influence. However, fate intervened, and we parted ways. I ran against them and emerged victorious. So, I have effectively proven myself once again. What more do I need to demonstrate?”
Barrow believes he could defeat all opposition presidential contenders with “a substantial margin” come the next election. He also negated comments and reports about his popularity waning across the country hence he stands a little or no chance to win the next presidential election in 2026.
Regarding a survey done by Afrobarometer on his dwindling popularity and support among the Gambian people, the President retorted: “In fact, there is an organisation called EIU that has produced a comprehensive report, concluding that I am poised to win the next election.”
He further expressed optimism in winning the polls again come the day: “I am confident in my performance, and believe I am doing a commendable job. I see no reason for the Gambian people to dismiss me. I am abiding by the law, not opposing anyone, not harming anyone, and not misusing executive power against anyone.”
The president says: “I firmly believe we are steering this country towards a brighter future. We are actively fostering development by launching groundbreaking projects across various sectors, including road infrastructure, education, healthcare, and a remarkable 110% salary increase, among others. In fact, by the end of this January, many individuals will experience the positive impact of the recent salary increase.
“Our revenue collection has also dramatically improved, exceeding our target by more than 1.5 billion dalasis. We have significantly increased our collections, and I believe we are doing an excellent job.” Barrow however said the final decision of sending him back to office in 2026 rests with the people and the electorate: “Ultimately, the decision rests with the Gambian people. That said, I am very confident that I will win the 2026 presidential election by a substantial margin.”
