By Buba Gagigo
Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, the Minister of Information, recently stated that President Adama Barrow has a legitimate right to contest the upcoming 2026 presidential election and expressed confidence in his victory.
According to Dr. Ceesay, President Barrow has consistently worked to benefit Gambians without threatening or causing harm, adding, “Barrow will contest, and no one can do anything about it. Gambians will vote for him, and he will be done with them before midday,” he told Eye Africa TV.
“Forget about morality. Legally, Barrow has a right to contest, and he has performed, and he’s delivering. Gambians should understand one thing, Barrow doesn’t threaten anyone, he doesn’t disturb anyone, he doesn’t kill anyone, he doesn’t insult anyone, he doesn’t beat anyone, and he’s delivering. Why are they scared of him? Some of these kids and some ‘Chunes’ saying ‘No to 3rd term’. They will meet us here in 2026, if the country is owned by their fathers, they will say it. Barrow will contest, and no one can do anything about it. Gambians will vote for him, and he will be done with them before midday,” the Information Minister told Eye Africa TV.
Dr. Ceesay cautioned against comparing municipal and legislative elections with the upcoming presidential vote, arguing that each election holds unique dynamics. He further claimed that opposition promises to lower commodity prices are unrealistic, stressing that President Barrow’s administration needs continuity to complete ongoing projects.
“If any opposition promises you that he will lower the price of commodities, just try and see, they cannot reduce the prices. President Barrow has already started a job that needs stability and predictability because it is in the interest of the Gambians to reelect him to continue that work. Remember that his first five years were very messy. That’s why I don’t count his first five years as a term. It was a coalition, and his hands were tied. It was a very messy and politicized coalition. We cannot count his first five years as a term. There is no term limit in the constitution, Barrow has the right to contest. One big politician has said on GIS-GIS that there is no morality in politics. I will not mention his name, but you can go to the archives,” he said.
MC Cham Jr., a prominent supporter of the United Democratic Party, responded by asserting that while Barrow has the right to run, Gambians are simply reminding him of his earlier statements on limiting presidential terms. “Barrow himself said no president should serve more than ten years. We’re just holding him accountable to his words,” Cham stated. He also questioned Dr. Ceesay’s motives, implying that Ceesay’s support for Barrow may be self-serving.
“He (Barrow) said no president would serve for more than ten years when he came. That’s his own word. I always say Gambians can give themselves a term limit. It is simple, we are just going to do the same thing we did to Jammeh in 2016. President Barrow is the easiest candidate to win against. So we are just reminding Barrow of his own statement, but for Ismaila Ceesay, I am beginning to question his education. He claims to be a doctor, these ‘Dogo Dogo’ statements shouldn’t have come from him to the extent of insulting the Diaspora,” MC Cham Jr said.
Cham criticized Dr. Ceesay’s dismissive comments towards Gambians in the Diaspora, reminding him of the critical role the Diaspora played in Barrow’s initial election. He argued that the Information Minister should avoid inflammatory remarks and focus on serving the interests of Gambians.
“They contributed a lot for Barrow to be president. You described them as kids and at the same time you made a childish statement. You said they will know whether their parents own the country, you should not mention their parents because this country is not owned by anyone including you and president Barrow. Gambians have the right to say they don’t want any president to go for a third term,” he said.Regarding Dr. Ceesay’s claim that Barrow will win the 2026 election before midday, MC Cham Jr. stated that Gambians are not naïve and accused Dr. Ceesay of prioritizing his own interests over the nation’s.
“Everyone in the country knows you are fighting for yourself because you know if President Barrow is out, you are finished and the most dangerous thing in life is when you talk and people start asking each other, ‘is it not him again’. That’s the level you are in the Gambia. Just see, even in your own hometown, you were not able to help President Barrow win there in all the elections. Politically, you cannot give Barrow anything because people no longer listen to you,” he said.
MC Cham Jr. urged Dr. Ceesay to reflect on the fate of those who once defended Jammeh. ‘Where are the people that were doing the same thing for Jammeh?’
“Jammeh was defended by a lot of state ministries based on lies, but where are they today? Start thinking. Your role as an information minister is to talk to Gambians about policies and how to transform your ministry. But all you are doing is propaganda, but these kinds of statements should not come from your mouth. You are a minister; you will one day leave that position,” MC Cham Jr. said.
Cham also advised Dr. Ceesay to cease attacks on the Diaspora, noting that they were instrumental in Barrow’s rise to the presidency at a time when he was not supportive.
“You are not the spokesperson of the NPP, you are working for the government. Your party is the Citizens Alliance. I don’t know whether you have even sold that party or not, but I think you should focus on that party. You are young, and remember, you are not Green boys or Green Girls. Start to understand that politically, you cannot give Barrow anything, including your own hometown,” MC Cham Jr said.
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