It is interesting developments that Coalition talks have come back live in the run up to the 2026 elections. What accounted for this phase in the body politics of the country is anybody’s guess. However, in order to properly understand the situation, one must have a framework of leading ideas. It is therefore necessary to shed light on the topic of a Coalition. It must be stated that the concept of a coalition has been misconstrued in the country’s political system. A Coalition or Alliance in conventional terms, is the coming together of several political parties/ forces rallying support behind the Political Party in the majority before or during elections. It is a process normally centered on the main political party and not necessarily on the leadership of such a party. If the leadership becomes contentious issue in the process then it gives the signal that position seeking rather than party attachment is the motivation. A coalition is not sustainable in this context. Ronaldo the international footballer once said, “sometimes the people who build your foundation never stand on it themselves.” Could this be true of the 2016 Coalition. Coalition arrangements could be extended to Parliamentary elections in terms of seats and post elections power sharing. It all depends on the manner and context in which agreements have been reached between the parties at talks. Aside from the Party in the lead, for governance purposes, the Coalition leader must be checked for quality representation. It is to be noted that coalitions are born out of excruciating political circumstances. We witnessed what happened in 2016 elections year. The UDP leadership was incarcerated by the former President of the second republic. The executive decision angered vast majority of Gambians. It triggered the Gambian people to come together to end dictatorship and further state aggressions on the democratic rights of citizens. Consequently, leadership of the coalition put together by seven political parties was not an issue. What mattered most was regime change and the opportunity to usher in democratic rule in the country. In this connection, all the political leaders in the coalition swallowed their pride and egos to unite on the felt need for regime change. Therefore, Gambians voted for change headed by the current President His Excellency Adama Barrow. His Excellency must be commended for his bold and unafraid stance to challenge the much feared incumbent former President Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh. The question now is, what has happened since 2016 in the state of affairs of the country to warrant the widespread political mood for a Coalition in the 2026 elections. The recent Opinion Polls have shown some indications in the National discourse. It is up to the various political parties to form their opinions about the results of the opinion polls as revealed. Coalition or no Coalition, the success of any political party in the 2026 elections would depend on its strategic political mobilisation platforms. In the current political discourse, two camps are prominent in the process; NPP alliances and the envisaged coalition with the UDP. It is anticipated that by mid year, full blown political alliances will come to light. As the politicking progresses, political parties must be alerted to the electable requirement of simple majority. Political miscalculations in this regard could produce tragic outcomes for any party in the contest. The stage we are in the country is not the stage where people should become onlookers. The people should be politically conscious and be part of the political process. Voter apathy is not an option. Political participation is a civic responsibility and democratic expediency. It must be a government of the people and by the people period.
