Africa-Press – Gambia. Mai Ahmed Fatty, leader of the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), delivered a fiery address on Sunday during a strategic meeting of the National People’s Party (NPP) and its coalition partners, declaring the 2026 presidential elections as a “do or die” moment that the party must not lose.
Speaking to regional executives and committee members gathered to chart a path to re-election for President Adama Barrow, Fatty stressed the stakes could not be higher—not only for the NPP but for him personally.
“We must win in 2026,” Fatty said. “Because if we don’t, what lies ahead is exile—and I’m not leaving this country again. I will fight until I die to make sure President Barrow wins.”
Fatty, who clarified he has no intention of contesting the presidency himself, pledged his full support to Barrow’s candidacy, while warning his allies not to underestimate the challenge ahead.
“Anyone who tells you the 2026 elections will be easy is not telling you the truth,” he said. “It means everything to them—but it means more to us. If the NPP loses, we lose. We are in this together.”
The former Interior Minister addressed recent criticisms directed at him, brushing off claims that he joined the NPP for personal gain or out of desperation.
“That’s an old story,” he said. “What we should focus on now is selling the product President Barrow gave us—national development.”
Citing rural electrification and other infrastructure projects under Barrow’s administration, Fatty urged coalition members to prioritize communicating the government’s achievements rather than engaging in online disputes or political mudslinging.
“We’re too busy replying to people who insult us,” he said. “They want us distracted. Instead of promoting the president’s agenda, we’re defending ourselves—and that’s not how we win.”
He urged members to view themselves as ambassadors of Barrow’s development record, not political brawlers. “You are salesmen and saleswomen,” he emphasized. “You’re not violent people. Focus on the message. The development agenda is our product.”
Fatty acknowledged the rising cost of living and the persistent complaint over food prices, particularly rice. But he maintained that such issues are global and not unique to The Gambia.
“Yes, rice is expensive. But tell me—what country hasn’t seen prices rise since 2020?” he asked. “It’s a global problem, and we must help the public understand that.”
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