Imam Baba Leigh has warned that political ambition rooted in impatience is unlikely to succeed, citing the country’s unpredictable history of leadership changes.

While speaking during a recent sermon, he urged Gambians to reflect on past political transitions, from the peaceful leadership of Sir Dawda Jawara, to the sudden military takeover by Yahya Jammeh, and the unexpected rise of current President Adama Barrow.

“Anyone who is in a rush to succeed a leader will not succeed him,” the imam told worshippers. “When Sir Dawda left, no one expected a soldier like Yahya Jammeh to take over, and he went on to brutalise the country for 22 years.”

He noted that Jammeh’s eventual ousting in 2016, after losing to opposition candidate Adama Barrow, was equally unforeseen.

“And when he left, many never thought Barrow would be the one to replace him,” he said.

Imam Leigh offered a cautionary message to aspiring politicians: “If Barrow leaves, those who are eager to replace him will not be the ones who do. Let’s be mindful of this, and work not only for this world, but also for the hereafter.”

By Adama Makasuba