ANM Ousainu Darboe, Secretary General and Party Leader UDP
By Buba Gagigo
Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, the Secretary-General and Party Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), emphasized that any candidate endorsed by the UDP stands a good chance of winning the upcoming 2026 presidential election.
Darboe addressed concerns within the party, stating, “We need to refrain from echoing claims that undermine our unity. If the UDP selects a candidate, that individual is undoubtedly eligible. The issue of vote-stealing shouldn’t overshadow the fact that many citizens support us. Our adversaries propagate falsehoods suggesting a Mandinka candidate cannot defeat another Mandinka candidate, but we must resist perpetuating such divisive notions.”
He continued, “We must not propagate narratives that diminish our party’s standing. There’s unwarranted talk that replacing our party leader guarantees victory. Whether or not I decide to contest is beside the point; we must prioritize our party’s integrity above all.”
Darboe conveyed these sentiments during a gathering at the UDP’s Manjai Bureau, where a new campaign manager was elected following Momodou Sabally’s departure.