Brikama Area Council Chairman and senior United Democratic Party (UDP) official Yankuba Darboe has brushed aside excitement surrounding the Unite Movement for Change (UMC) national congress and grand rally, insisting that the UDP remains the country’s strongest opposition force.

Darboe made the remarks amid growing political discussions following the UMC gathering, which drew supporters and political activists from across the country.

Reacting to the attention surrounding crowd turnout at political events, the UDP official argued that large gatherings alone do not determine political strength.

“If politics is crowd gathering, then we have seen them many times, and they bother only the ones without a following,” Darboe said.
He further used a metaphor to underline what he described as the UDP’s political dominance in opposition politics.

“An ant cannot brag its size to the elephant,” he added.

Darboe maintained that despite the emergence of new political movements and increased opposition activity ahead of the 2026 elections, the UDP remains the biggest opposition party in The Gambia.

“The UDP remains the biggest opposition party in The Gambia. Case closed,” he stated.

His comments come shortly after the UMC held its first national congress and grand rally, where movement leaders called for political transformation, accountability and greater citizen participation in governance.

By Adama Makasuba