United Democratic Party (UDP) leader and Secretary General Ousainou Darboe has reaffirmed his commitment to serve only one five-year term if elected president in December, pledging to oversee a free and fair election before stepping down.
Mr. Darboe made the declaration on Wednesday during an exclusive interview with The Point newspaper on Facebook Live, insisting that the privileges and benefits associated with the presidency were not what motivated his political ambition.
“If, really, perks and privileges of office are of importance to me, I would have been vice president today. As vice president, or at least I would have been cabinet, but no,” he said, arguing that such positions offered considerable privileges.
He described his one-term pledge as a matter of principle and consistency, dismissing suggestions that he could reconsider his position after assuming office.
“I don’t like what they are doing now, VAR. Nobody is going to do VAR on me,” he remarked.
Mr. Darboe outlined his political philosophy as “one term, one vision, one mission, and national renewal”, saying his ambition was to build a more prosperous Gambia through a five-point development agenda.
Asked whether he would consider staying in office if Gambians wanted him to continue after delivering results, the UDP leader ruled out the possibility, describing such a move as a betrayal of his commitment to the electorate.
He argued that other capable Gambians who had not yet been given the opportunity to serve could take over after his tenure.
Mr Darboe said no president could do everything in one term or one century, but said his main priorities could be done in five years.
He identified the drafting and adoption of a new constitution as his first priority, expressing confidence that the process could be completed within two years if there was sufficient political will.
He also pledged to complete the security sector reform process initiated under the Barrow administration and undertake comprehensive public service reforms within three years.
On the economy, Mr. Darboe said reform would remain an ongoing process but pledged to establish a strong foundation for sustained economic growth.
He envisaged an integrated and vibrant economy capable of attracting investment while placing Gambian entrepreneurs at the centre of economic activity, without discrimination.
The UDP leader said his administration would complete three major reforms within five years while laying the groundwork for a fourth, establishing a foundation that future governments would find difficult to reverse.
He reiterated that he would not seek another term, insisting that his final responsibility as president would be to ensure a free and fair election and peacefully hand over power.
