President Adama Barrow has dismissed the strength of the UDP-led opposition alliance, questioning the popularity of the parties and movements that recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) ahead of the December 5 presidential election.

Speaking about the alliance’s MoU signing ceremony, President Barrow said he was surprised by some of the groups involved, claiming that he did not recognise several of the parties and movements presented as members of the alliance.

“I did not know any of the parties that signed MoU with UDP. In this world, I can accept people to fool me, but I cannot fool myself,” he said.

The president questioned whether the gathering at the signing ceremony reflected the level of political support being claimed by the opposition.

“That MoU signing that day, I am surprised. I see other parties there. Even my ‘Yai Compin’ group is more than them and you said that’s an alliance,” he said.

Mr Barrow also questioned the political standing of opposition leaders, particularly those with decades of experience, arguing that some had lost significant support over the years.

“My father has experienced for over 30 years in politics. With all that years of experience, you lost all those elections,” he said.

The president further alleged that some of the groups involved in the opposition alliance were not established political parties with significant support.

“There are parties and movements that we don’t know and that are all manipulation,” he said.

He alleged that some groups were being organised and encouraged to join the alliance, suggesting that the same supporters could be appearing under different group names.

Mr Barrow’s comments come as opposition parties seek to unite ahead of the presidential election, with the UDP-led coalition bringing together several political parties and movements in an effort to challenge the incumbent.

The president, however, expressed confidence in his National People’s Party (NPP) and its prospects of retaining power.

He urged voters to judge the competing political forces based on their records, while portraying his administration as focused on development and delivery.

Mr Barrow also dismissed the opposition’s activities as largely political noise, insisting that his government was focused on what he described as tangible development.

“On the 5th of December there is no place for you here, reason being is that you people are just noise makers and us are working,” he said.

He added: “In the end you win against us? That’s not possible.”

By Adama Makasuba