As he stepped aside, Bensouda delivered a parting message that “politics is not a game of insults, nor a game of division, nor of defamatory comments. It is a game of national development.”
“Talib served with honour and dedication. His resignation from the organising secretary role must be respected,” current UDP leader Ousianu Darboe said, while reacting to Bensouda’s withdrawal from the race.
He described Bensouda’s choice as “a difficult but honourable decision.”
Bensouda, addressing thousands of his supporters via a video posted on his social media platform, reminded Gambians that politics should not reduce citizens to bitter enemies. “We must cherish it as a tool to foster community unity and nation building,” he urged, stressing the need for civility and decency in the country’s heated political climate.
“Politics is not about tearing each other down,” he emphasised. “It is about building our nation, improving lives, and strengthening the unity that binds us together.”
The Mayor, long seen as one of the UDP’s brightest young prospects, had submitted his application to contest the party’s flag bearer position alongside 10 others. However, in what he described as a matter of “principle and loyalty,” he said he could not challenge UDP leader Ousainu Darboe should the veteran politician choose to run again.
“I made a prior commitment that if His Excellency Ousainu Darboe pursues the UDP flag bearership, I will not challenge him for that same position,” Bensouda said.
He revealed that he had met Darboe one-on-one to express both his desire to lead and his confidence of victory, but ultimately, Darboe confirmed his determination to stand as the party’s candidate.
“Therefore,” Bensouda continued: “I have told him and I am here to tell my supporters that effective immediately, I have withdrawn my candidacy for the flagbearership of the United Democratic Party 2026.”
In addition, Bensouda tendered his resignation as UDP’s National Organising Secretary, noting that Darboe “will need an organizing secretary he can trust, one who can deliver to his expectation.”
