President Adama Barrow has taken aim at opposition politicians holding local government positions, questioning whether those unable to deliver development in their communities should be trusted to govern the country.

Barrow was speaking as opposition figures, including Coalition 2026 flag bearer and KMC Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, intensify their campaigns ahead of the December presidential election.

Bensouda has vowed to defeat Barrow and replace him as president in December, setting up a potentially competitive contest between the incumbent and his challengers.

But Barrow urged Gambians to judge political leaders by their record rather than promises, warning voters against what he described as “sweet talk”.

“Sweet talk does not develop a country,” Barrow said.

The president appeared to direct his criticism at mayors and chairmen serving in the Greater Banjul Area, questioning what they had achieved in their respective communities.

“Some are given a job but they can’t even clean their regions,” he said.

“Your mayors and chairmen are here and they can’t even clean your environment. Can that person govern a country?”

Barrow also questioned the ability of local leaders to oversee larger development projects.

“Someone who can’t even build a market, can that person build a country?” he asked.
The president urged Gambians not to be swayed by political rhetoric as they prepare to vote in December.

He also cautioned voters against choosing a leader simply because of their age, appearing to reference political changes in another country where an older leader was replaced by a younger president.

According to Barrow, the example showed that choosing leaders based primarily on their youth could lead to disappointment.

He said Gambians should instead examine the experience, performance and ability of candidates before making their choice.

“Don’t allow them to fool you,” Barrow told supporters.

His remarks come as the opposition seeks to present a new political alternative ahead of the election, with Bensouda emerging as the flag bearer of Coalition 2026.

Bensouda has positioned the coalition around promises of political change, economic opportunity, better governance and stronger public services.

Barrow, meanwhile, is seeking another mandate and has increasingly pointed to his government’s development record as the basis for his re-election bid.

By Adama Makasuba