President Adama Barrow has accused the United Democratic Party (UDP) and other opposition groups of organising roadside demonstrations to heckle him during his ongoing nationwide Meet-the-People Tour, alleging that the activities are intended to disrupt his engagements with communities.
Speaking at a public meeting in Jabang, Barrow claimed that opposition supporters had been gathering along roads leading to his scheduled appearances, chanting slogans against him and calling for his defeat in the December 5 presidential election.
The president described the incidents as a deliberate attempt to undermine his tour. However, he did not present evidence to support his allegation that the roadside protests were coordinated by the UDP or other opposition parties.
Barrow urged his political rivals to focus on campaigning and winning public support rather than engaging in activities he considers disruptive.
He stressed that the choice of the next president rests with the Gambian electorate, insisting that neither the incumbent nor opposition leaders could determine the outcome of the election on behalf of voters.
“President Barrow cannot make this decision for them, Ousainu Darboe cannot, and nobody can,” he said, referring to the power of voters to decide the country’s political future.
The president also warned his opponents that failing to campaign actively could strengthen his chances of securing another term in office.
“If you do not campaign, I will defeat you so mercilessly that you wouldn’t forget because I am campaigning,” Barrow declared.
His comments come as political tensions intensify ahead of the December 5 presidential election, with the ruling National People’s Party and opposition groups increasingly trading accusations as they seek to mobilise voters.
Barrow’s allegation against the UDP adds another point of contention to the campaign period. The claims were presented as the president’s account of the incidents, and no response from the opposition was included in the information available for this report.
