Africa-Press – Gambia. Leader and flag bearer of the National Unity Party (NUP), Lamin J. Darbo, has announced that he will renounce his United Kingdom citizenship within the next six months as he prepares to contest the 2026 presidential election.
Darbo made the disclosure during an interview on Paradise FM Politico Talk Show last week, where he addressed questions surrounding his dual citizenship and eligibility to run for the country’s highest office.
According to him, renouncing his UK citizenship is a conscious decision tied specifically to his presidential ambition, and not something he would do for a lesser political appointment.
“If I were offered a cabinet position, I would not renounce my citizenship for that,” Darbo said. “But because I am vying for the presidency, within the next six months I will renounce my citizenship of the United Kingdom and concentrate fully on running for president.”
The NUP leader, a former senior magistrate and legal practitioner, says the presidency carries a level of national responsibility that demands full constitutional compliance and personal commitment to the state.
Darbo used the interview to broaden the discussion to governance and leadership, arguing that The Gambia’s core challenge is not merely leadership change, but the absence of strong, functional systems.
“We don’t have a system,” he said. “You can change the presidency, but if the system remains the same, nothing truly changes.”
He warned that weak institutions create space for indiscipline, corruption, and abuse of power, stressing that governance must be anchored on rules, accountability, and respect for citizens.
Drawing from his experience in the judiciary, Darbo emphasized the importance of institutional independence, discipline, and the rule of law, noting that societies only progress when systems are stronger than individuals.
He also rejected political mobilisation based on region, ethnicity, or community origin, urging Gambians to vote based on competence and ability rather than sentiment or loyalty.
“Don’t vote for me because I am from Kombo South or the West Coast,” he said. “Vote for me only if you believe I have the capacity to transform the public fortunes of this country.”
On opposition politics, Darbo questioned the notion that only political coalitions can defeat an incumbent, describing it as a symptom of weak democratic systems rather than political maturity.
He called on Gambians, both at home and in the diaspora, to place national interest above party allegiance, warning that the collapse of governance would ultimately affect everyone.
“Presidents come and go. The Gambia remains,” Darbo said, urging voters to prioritise ability, competence, and integrity ahead of the 2026 polls.
Darbo confirmed that he will contest the December 2026 presidential election as NUP’s flagbearer.
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