Speaking on West Coast Radio’s Coffee Time Show with Peter Gomez recently, Mr. Faal accused President Adama Barrow of masterminding the change in an attempt to shut ordinary Gambians out of politics and solidify a de facto one-party state.
“We will challenge this in the Supreme Court,” Faal vowed. “Because our democracy is not the exclusive reserve of those who have money. It’s not just for the haves. We will not accept this. It is unconstitutional, and we will fight it.”
The former TRRC lead counsel warned that the increased nomination fee amounts to a political filter, one that denies opportunity to credible leaders without wealth.
“Barrow is creating a system where only the rich or those backed by stolen money can contest for leadership. That’s not democracy. That’s economic apartheid,” Faal stated.
He said though the bill was passed by the National Assembly, Faal argued the blame rests squarely with the president, who, he claimed, originated the idea and used his parliamentary majority to push it through.
“Yes, it was passed in Parliament. But it’s Barrow’s bill. And with his party holding the majority, he owns this law,” he said.
Faal accused the government of disguising repression in legal clothing, warning that Barrow’s administration is becoming a master of manipulating laws to serve its own agenda.
“Barrow didn’t have to arrest anyone or jail the opposition. He’s doing worse by creating laws that quietly lock people out,” Faal said. “This is legal tyranny. And it’s more dangerous than Jammeh’s iron-fist rule because it hides behind a veil of constitutionality.”
When asked whether a legal challenge could be completed before the 2026 elections, Faal acknowledged the risk of delay but remained optimistic.
“Yes, court processes take time. But we must have faith in the Supreme Court to act with urgency. The stakes are too high,” he said.
Faal reminded Gambians that this isn’t the first time Barrow’s government has tampered with electoral rules for political gain.
“Remember when they changed the age limit for president and vice president? Or when they altered the deposit to run? Or cross-carpeting laws? This is a pattern. It’s manipulation by legislation,” he said. “This president is now worse than Jammeh not in brutality, but in how he bends the law to his will.”
