The President made this statement at the weekend while inaugurating the NPP Banjul Bureau located on Primet Street.
Speaking to hundreds of his supporters, the president noted that currently, nine politicians have surfaced for the presidency, which has created a complex situation as many aspire for the position.
"I am ready for the 2026 presidential race,” Barrow throws a challenge, saying: “I will knock them out [the opposition]."
He also canvasses for support: "Banjulians should unite and rally behind my party the NPP. Infighting in the party will take us nowhere; it only dismantles our chances in politics."
Barrow recalled the 2021 elections, saying: "I swept all the polls in Banjul. But because of infighting in the party, for the municipal elections, we lost the mayorship, won 7 councillor seats and lost 2. We also lost the parliamentary elections in 2022.”
He further calls out on the people: “Let the people of Banjul come together and rally behind Ousman Abou Wadda, Chairman of the Banjul NPP Executive Committee, and direct all their requests through him.
"If my party wins the municipal elections and get the mayoral post and three seats of Banjul, it will consolidate my political agenda and make it easy for their projects.
"I have fulfilled two major requests of the people of Banjul: my government has approved the construction of the KGV stadium in Half Die, and the Vice President has set up a task committee to raise funds, and so far more than 11 million Dalasis have been collected. The job will be supervised by Gamworks”
To the women, he said: “I am happy to announce to the women of Banjul market that, I have approved their request to get modern facilities for smoking fish (Cat fish). The building has started, which is financed from the Ministry of Fisheries."
He veered onto the social contract of politicians with the people, saying: "I am urging my fellow politicians to be supportive of the masses, who have trust in them. Politics of deception is finished; I have development politics - nobody should be deceptive in politics."
Barrow further said politicians should always fulfill their promises to the masses. “Let’s work for the betterment of Gambians, promote peace and unity,” he appeals.
