President Adama Barrow has vowed to “retire” veteran opposition politician and lawyer Ousainu Darboe in this year’s presidential election.

Speaking at his rally in Farafenni tonight, Barrow said he had tried to persuade a prominent opposition figure to join him but was rejected.

“There is one man who is good at being opposition leader and a lawyer, and I urge him to join me but he refuses,” Barrow said, referring to Darboe.

“But I will retire him this year,” he added.
Barrow did not explain what he meant by “retire”, but made the remark while addressing supporters ahead of the presidential election.

The President also expressed confidence in his political alliance’s ability to defeat smaller parties, even if they were to come together.

“I am certain even if all the opposition come together, they can’t stage such a meeting we staged in Farafenni,” Barrow said.

He nevertheless urged members and supporters of the alliance to remain united and work together as the election approaches.

Barrow’s remarks about Darboe add a fresh political exchange between the President and one of the country’s longstanding opposition figures.

The President has made unity among his supporters a key part of his message during the campaign, while opposition parties continue to organise ahead of the December 5 presidential election.

Darboe, a veteran lawyer and opposition leader, is among the figures challenging Barrow in the presidential contest.

By Adama Makasuba