Africa-Press – Gambia. PASTEF The Gambia has pushed back against comments made by political commentator Biran Gai, who argued that the United Democratic Party (UDP) “should not be expected to surrender the presidential flag-bearer position” in any potential 2026 opposition coalition.
In a statement issued on Saturday, 29th November 2025, PASTEF’s Public Relations Officer, Mayorro Sidibeh, said Mr. Gai’s position overlooks the political realities of coalition-building in The Gambia.
“I fully acknowledge that the UDP, as the main opposition party, has every right to present a flag-bearer,” Mr. Sidibeh said. “However, basing coalition leadership solely on party size does not reflect the complexities of our political landscape.”
PASTEF spokesperson argued that the UDP no longer has a guaranteed claim to lead a coalition, particularly after the National Assembly rejects the 2020 draft constitution, which would have introduced a second-round balloting system. Without a runoff mechanism, he says, it is unrealistic for any party to assume coalition leadership by default.
Mr. Sidibeh noted that Gambian political history has shown that no opposition party has ever won the presidency on its own. Victories, he stressed, have always come through broad alliances grounded in consensus rather than hierarchy.
“For any grand coalition especially one that may include an independent candidate automatic leadership cannot be claimed by any party,” he added. “A transparent primary remains the fairest and most democratic method to select a unifying candidate.”
He further urged political actors to recognise that calls for a coalition extend beyond merely removing a sitting government. According to him, genuine reform requires leaders to rise above partisan interests and personal ambitions in favour of national unity.
“At this crucial moment, the question is not which party leads,” Mr. Sidibeh said, “but whether our leaders are willing to prioritise the national interest and work together for the future of The Gambia.”
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