Africa-Press – Gambia. Human rights lawyer and political activist Martin has renewed his call for a united opposition front to challenge President Adama Barrow in the December 2026 presidential election.
Martin, who also serves as coordinator of the People’s Alliance for Change, stated that the country’s political climate necessitates that opposition parties and political movements set aside partisan interests and collaborate to effect meaningful change.
Drawing lessons from the 2016 election, Martin stressed that national interest must take precedence over party politics, which he said undermined the promise of change after former president Yahya Jammeh’s defeat.
“The objective of change should not merely be about replacing a leader, but fundamentally about reforming our failed institutions and system of governance,” he said, calling for a credible transformation agenda anchored on a five-year transition plan.
According to him, such a transition would offer the country a fresh start and help end the politics of polarisation currently affecting national cohesion and development.
Martin further argued that the country needs a new political transition to restore “tranquillity and sanity” in governance, noting that excessive political rivalry and personality-driven politics have delayed key reforms.
“Opposition leaders must rise above self-centred ambitions and power struggles. The country is not interested in personality contests when nationhood itself is at stake,” he said.
He called for comprehensive institutional reforms and urged political actors to abandon personality cults in favour of issue-based politics focused on improving the welfare of Gambians.
Martin described the formation of a National Unity Government as the best option for restoring national stability, arguing that partisan politics alone cannot address institutional failure and corruption.
He criticised the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) administration for what he described as its failure to deliver key reforms, citing concerns over law and order, economic hardship, and declining living standards.
“The tough economic conditions facing Gambians are a clear lesson. Government incompetence continues to ruin lives,” he said.
Martin concluded that voters would ultimately decide the country’s future, adding that a united opposition front could offer a viable alternative to prevent the country from sliding into what he termed a “failed state.”
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