Ousainu Darboe, the secretary general and party leader, reacting to the victory thanked the people of Kiang, saying they are strong supporters of UDP.
Darboe hailed the voters of Massembeh Ward for their foresight during the just concluded by-election in the Mansakonko Area Council.
He said the people of Kiang are the strong supporters of UDP and this election victory was a clear testimony to the United Democratic Party victory for the 2026 presidential elections.
He advised the party members and militants to remain vigilant and united as one people for the well-being of the Gambians and the betterment of the country.
UDP’s candidate Bakary S. Jarju, a native of Massembeh village, secured 700 votes (57.7%) against NPP’s Lamin Jarju, who amassed 513 votes (42.3%).
The election, conducted across four polling stations, saw UDP secured commanding wins in three areas, while the NPP claimed only one:
The UDP’s success sends a clear message: financial muscle and state machinery cannot eclipse genuine community engagement. Councillor-elect Bakary S. Jarju’s victory is a testament to the UDP’s enduring legacy as The Gambia’s leading opposition force. Local supporters hailed the win as a rejection of what they called "empty promises" and a reaffirmation of trust in the UDP’s commitment to development.
As Councillor Bakary S. Jarju prepares to take office, the UDP’s Massembeh Ward victory will undoubtedly energise opposition supporters nationwide. It serves as a blueprint for how grassroots campaigning can overcome the ruling party’s advantages, setting the stage for future electoral battles.
Meanwhile, NPP candidate Lamin Jarju congratulated UDP’s Bakary Jarju a day after the Massembeh Ward elections. The event was chaired and facilitated by the Mansakonko Area Council Chairman Landing B. Sanneh and Kiang Political heavyweight Lamin Sanneh of OIC as part of their efforts to foster unification in Kiang.
