President Adama Barrow has issued a direct and stinging criticism of United Democratic Party Leader Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, saying the veteran opposition figure “cannot even run his own party that tore itself apart,” yet continues to attack the government’s handling of the new groundnut price.

Barrow made the remarks during a political rally in Sifoe, where he expressed surprise that Darboe was among the first to challenge the government’s announcement of this year’s producer price.

“The moment he heard we announced the price for groundnut, he came after us,” Barrow said, adding “a man who couldn’t run his own party and whose competency tore it apart.”

The President defended the new price structure, insisting that government has set the price at D38,000 per tonne, although it sells at D20,000.

He said the additional D18,000 reflects a direct subsidy aimed at supporting farmers, dismissing Darboe’s suggestion that the price remains the same as last year.

“If he says this year’s groundnut price is the same as last year’s, then he does not know what he is saying. They are panicked,” he added.

He accused the opposition of deliberately portraying negativity despite what he described as the government’s continued efforts to support rural communities.

“The government has done its part, but those in the opposition must always say different things because all they see are bad things. What have they done for Gambians other than retarding this country?” he asked.

He also assured residents of Kombo that his administration remains committed to delivering long-awaited development projects.