President Adama Barrow has described Gambia’s opposition parties as “suitcase and social media parties” ahead of December 2026 polls and daring rivals to face him one-on-one.
At a recent road inauguration in Madiana, Barrow criticised the wave of new political parties, calling some “briefcase parties” with little grassroots support. The “social media parties” jab refers to opponents he says only exist online without real ground operations.
He challenged the opposition figures to face him one-on-one in December 2026 instead of forming coalitions.
Gambian leader dismissed coalition talks, saying the opposition failed to unite when they were stronger, “how can they do so now that they are divided?”
He said that there are opposition parties in The Gambia that are loud on radio talk shows but have no real political machinery or voter base.
Barrow mocked serial election losers, saying there are politicians who run every cycle and lose, but keep coming back. He compared them to agama lizards that “nod their heads” and return no matter how many times they’re chased away. This was likely aimed at veteran opponents like UDP’s Ousainou Darboe.
The President maintained that Gambians continue to place their trust in his administration because of what he described as visible and impactful development projects being implemented across the country.
Barrow further predicted that his next electoral win would surpass his previous victories, insisting that the opposition remains disconnected from the realities on the ground while his government continues to deliver tangible progress to communities nationwide.
Talking about his political strategy, Barrow said he is trying to paint the opposition as fragmented and unserious ahead of the December 2026 polls.
President Barrow is running for a 3rd term and faces criticism over unfulfilled 2016 promises, hence many say he is bent on shifting focus on opposition weaknesses.
