Thousands of NPP supporters erupted in a tidal wave of cheers and drumbeats at Sukuta’s central grounds on Saturday evening, as President Adama Barrow and the National People’s Party (NPP) ignited their 2026 re-election campaign with a blockbuster rally. The West Coast Region hotspot pulsed with energy under a cheering crowd, drawing over 10,000 loyalists, youth mobilizers, and regional leaders in a vivid display of unity, Gambian culture, and unyielding political resolve.
President Barrow, flanked by top NPP stalwarts, took center stage to deliver a powerful address that directly confronted the lingering influence of former President Yahya Jammeh. “I am the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and you are the former president,” Barrow declared pointedly, drawing thunderous applause and reaffirming his authority amid recent audio stirrings from Jammeh that have reignited old tensions.
The remark underscored NPP’s coalition strength, with Barrow urging supporters to “reject the shadows of division” and rally behind his record on infrastructure, youth jobs, and agricultural reforms.
Turning to domestic rivals, Barrow delivered a stinging rebuke to United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainou Darboe. “Darboe will never be President in The Gambia,” he asserted, positioning the veteran opposition figure as a relic of the past. The crowd roared in approval, chanting NPP slogans as Barrow painted a picture of a future of progress in his third-term bid.
Resource assurance dominated Barrow’s promises, electrifying the base. He vowed the 2026 campaign would be “fully resourced,” with no shortages of vehicles, T-shirts, or any materials needed for victory.
“Containers of ‘Ashobis’ have already been ordered for distribution,” he announced, revealing that several individuals have pledged financial contributions for a decisive win. In a bold mobilization directive, Barrow mandated that all ministers, chiefs, and traditional leaders join the campaign trail to secure his re-election.
Adding fuel to the fire, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, the Minister of Information, launched a systematic attack on opposition prospects. Dismissing UDP’s Darboe as “advanced in age” and urging his retirement, Ceesay noted PDOIS leader Halifa Sallah’s decision to sit out the race. He lambasted GDC’s Mama Kandeh for his inability to manage his own party and made controversial claims about Essa Faal’s “unstable mental condition.” Targeting Kanifing Municipal Council Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, Ceesay sneered that Bensouda is “surrounded by individuals of largely mediocre caliber,” implying ineffectiveness.
Lands Minister Hamat Bah echoed the vigilance, warning that Bensouda’s emerging political movement poses a “substantial challenge” to NPP. “We are fully aware of the threat this movement poses,” Bah cautioned, assuring that NPP and allies are “alert and prepared to counter any efforts to undermine our standing.” The remarks highlighted internal strategy sessions aimed at neutralizing rising threats in urban strongholds, such as Kanifing.
As dusk settled, the rally dispersed with vows of door-to-door canvassing. Political observers hailed it as a masterstroke in a contested region, potentially shifting momentum toward Barrow. With passion turning to votes, NPP’s Sukuta spectacle has set the 2026 battlefield ablaze.
