Sheikh Tijan Hydara has sensationally walked away from President Adama Barrow’s camp and jumped into the arms of the National Democratic Party (NDP), setting the stage for a thrilling showdown in the 2026 presidential election.

Hydara, who once rallied behind Barrow during the 2021 polls, is now joining forces with the NDP to try to bring down the president’s National People’s Party (NPP).

The switch has been hailed by NDP chiefs as a “game-changer” in their push to build what they call a “third force” to wrest power from the ruling establishment.

The NDP said Hydara’s move is “bold and strategic,” adding that it sends a powerful message that the opposition is serious about unity.

In its fiery statement, the party declared: “Together, we are building a coalition for real change, rooted in unity, vision, and a shared commitment to national progress.”

Hydara, a lawyer and former presidential candidate, is no stranger to Gambian politics.

His decision to ditch Barrow is already being read as a sign of cracks within the opposition camp that once backed the president.

With the countdown to 2026 underway, the NDP is wasting no time in whipping up support. Its rallying cry is simple: “2026 is a must. The people are ready. The time is now.”

By Adama Makasuba