APP-Sobeya leader Essa Faal has said his party is prepared to contest the 2026 presidential election independently, but warned that a divided opposition could strengthen President Adama Barrow’s chances of retaining power.
Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Faal addressed the future of opposition cooperation following his withdrawal from Coalition 2026, the political initiative formed to rally opposition parties and movements behind a single presidential candidate.
Faal said APP-Sobeya is currently engaging several political parties as it considers its options ahead of the election. He stressed that while further alliances remain possible, contesting the presidency without joining another coalition is also firmly on the table.
“There is a possibility of us going it alone, and we are super confident,” Faal said.
However, he cautioned that the emergence of several opposition candidates could undermine efforts to defeat the incumbent by splitting the vote among parties seeking political change.
“The issue is, if we have four or five candidates, it could spell disaster for those of us who want change, because by having four or five additional candidates, you are, in fact, cementing the fragmentation that we sought to avoid in the first place,” he said.
Faal’s remarks highlight the strategic dilemma confronting opposition parties ahead of the presidential election: whether to compete separately or negotiate a broader arrangement capable of consolidating voters dissatisfied with the current government.
He argued that opposition leaders must also take into account Barrow’s established electoral support and avoid assuming that dissatisfaction with the government would automatically translate into an opposition victory.
Faal estimated that around 19 percent of voters represent a solid base of support for the president, although he said Barrow’s eventual performance would depend partly on the strength and credibility of the candidates challenging him.
“For me, it’s 19 percent—one-nine,” Faal said. “Almost one fifth, 20 percent, but it also depends on the configurations and which candidates are presented. If Gambians do not see a credible alternative that they believe can win, they would revert to Barrow.”
He said opposition parties should carefully examine the lessons of the 2021 presidential election, arguing that some voters may have supported Barrow because they lacked confidence that any of his challengers could realistically defeat him.
Faal suggested that presenting voters with a credible and competitive alternative would therefore be just as important as reducing the number of opposition candidates.
Despite withdrawing from Coalition 2026, the APP-Sobeya leader indicated that negotiations and political realignments are far from over.
He said discussions with other political actors are continuing, leaving open the possibility of fresh agreements before the presidential election.
His comments suggest that while APP-Sobeya is prepared to pursue an independent presidential bid, the party remains conscious that opposition fragmentation could ultimately work to the advantage of the incumbent.
