Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, Minister of information
By Buba Gagigo
Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, The Gambia’s minister of information, said on Monday that President Adama Barrow remains the most popular political leader in the country, dismissing suggestions that a recent by-election loss signals waning support ahead of the 2026 presidential election.
Speaking during an interview with West Coast Radio, Dr. Ceesay described the outcome of the Masembeh Ward by-election as unrepresentative of the broader national political climate.
“The number of registered voters in Masembeh Ward is about roughly 1600 and the voter turnout is I think almost over 1200,” Dr. Ceesay said. “Now, one thing that should be clear is that the election results in Masembeh should not and will not, in any way, be representative of the mood of the entire Gambians when it comes to voting in 2026.” He added, “The president, His Excellency, is still very popular, in fact, the most popular political leader in this country, and he will win the 2026 elections. And anybody who is celebrating, thinking that the election results in Masembeh, is a signal of what will happen in 2026. I think that person is leaving a dream and that person is engaging in what they call self-deception,” Dr. Ceesay said.
The comments come after the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) claimed victory in the by-election, raising questions among some observers about the ruling party’s standing ahead of the next national vote.
Dr. Ceesay, however, pointed to what he sees as encouraging signs of democratic progress in The Gambia, commending President Barrow for publicly congratulating the UDP on its victory.
“(President Barrow) congratulating his party. That alone is a big move. For me, every Gambian should celebrate this. Yes, the UDP can celebrate the victory, but I think by and large, for me, there are two takeaways. One, our democracy is maturing two we can organize peaceful, credible elections, and the losers can accept defeat and do so publicly by congratulating the opponent, and everybody goes home, and that’s it.” Ceesay said.
Dr. Ceesay also congratulated the newly elected councilor, Mr. Jarju, expressing hope that he would fulfill his campaign promises.
“Now what is remaining is the councilor who won, Mr Jarju. We wish him all the best and we congratulate him. And we hope he delivers through to His promises,” Dr Ceesay said.The Masembeh Ward by-election is widely viewed as an early test of the political environment ahead of The Gambia’s 2026 presidential race.