Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has launched a scathing counterattack on President Adama Barrow, accusing him of extravagant spending as president while highlighting his financial struggles before assuming office.

Darboe alleged that Barrow now spends 100,000 dalasis daily on food, a stark contrast to his inability to afford 500 dalasis for daily expenses before becoming president.

Speaking at a rally in Jokadu Munyagen, Darboe said: “There are two key issues that do not benefit Gambians. First, consider Adama Barrow’s reported daily food expense of 100,000 dalasis. Meanwhile, many Gambians cannot even afford 50 dalasis for their daily meals.

“Before becoming president, Adama Barrow himself couldn’t afford to spend 500 dalasis on food. Allocating such a significant amount of money to a president’s personal expenses could have been better used to address pressing needs.”

He added: “Second, the 30 million dalasis spent on his lavish nationwide tour could have been more effectively allocated to the health sector.

“However, Barrow and his administration seem to equate development with concrete and cement. Unfortunately, these concrete roads are often short-lived, providing only temporary solutions while neglecting critical sectors like healthcare.”

Lawyer Darboe emphasized the essence of development, adding: “The most important aspect of development is ensuring your citizens have food and a decent quality of life. How can you claim progress when your people are suffering and hungry?”

By Adama Makasuba