Africa-Press – Gambia. Senior officials of the United Democratic Party (UDP) have dismissed concerns that a string of high-profile resignations will weaken the party’s standing ahead of upcoming elections, insisting that its base remains strong and committed.
Sulayman Saho, the National Assembly member for Badibou Central, and Lamin Manneh, the party’s deputy secretary for external affairs, said in separate remarks that the departures of prominent members will not slow the party’s momentum or alter its political trajectory.
Mr. Saho urged UDP supporters to remain united, describing the resignations as part of the ebb and flow of political life. He insisted that the party’s leader, Ousainou Darboe, remain poised to contest and win the presidency in the next election.
“The UDP has faced challenges before and survived,” Mr. Saho said, recalling the party’s split with President Adama Barrow in 2018, when many senior figures defected. “After that, UDP went for elections, and we won 15 National Assembly seats, our councillors won, and we won mayoral positions too.”
Mr. Saho encouraged party members not to be unsettled by recent defections, noting that those who choose to leave are exercising their rights. “Maybe their leaving is the best for the party,” he said. “What matters now is strengthening our structures and rallying behind Darboe, because supporting him is supporting the UDP and the country.”
Mr. Manneh echoed that sentiment, arguing that no single individual—including party heavyweights such as Talib Bensouda or Karafa Sonko—holds sway over the UDP’s broader electoral appeal.
“I don’t think Karafa, Talib, or anybody has that much of an impact on our electorates than the party and its programs,” Mr. Manneh said.
He emphasized that the UDP remains committed to democratic principles in its internal processes and will not allow a few individuals to dictate the party’s direction. “We wouldn’t have wanted these people to go, but they have gone, and that is democracy,” he said.
Despite the resignations, Mr. Manneh said the UDP’s priority is to expand its reach and consolidate its support base. “What we are doing is to bring as many people as we can,” he added. “We will not bend to the will of the few.”
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