03/09/2025
My Honest Opinion,
OMAR A. DANSO,
3.09.2025
Let us be clear from the outset, no one is against young Gambians aspiring to leadership, nor are we against the idea of competition for the UDP flagbearership. But ambition must be matched with integrity and leadership must be rooted in moral conviction, not political convenience. This is why I am not talking about other applicants who do not commit themselves with any moral obligation. So we will not allow those behind Talib to change any narrative.
The action of Talib Bensouda is not just disappointing, it is alarming. I want to be clear because this is not about personality. It is about principle.
Talib Bensouda has consistently demonstrated a pattern of behavior that stands in stark contrast to the moral integrity, political maturity, and trustworthiness expected of anyone aspiring to lead a national party let alone an entire country. Leadership demands a strong ethical foundation and a deep understanding of responsibility. Unfortunately, Talib has fallen short on all these critical fronts.
Gambians, I want you to follow me let me explain what I am saying Point by point
I once believed that his visit to Senegal, presumably to learn from the political movement Pastef, would instill in him valuable lessons about principled leadership and grassroots mobilization. But it’s now clear that either he failed to grasp those lessons or worse, he deliberately ignored them in pursuit of a shortcut to power.
This reckless approach isn’t just disappointing it feels like a betrayal, especially to those of us who once placed our hopes in the promise of a new generation. Leadership is not a destination you can leap to overnight. It is a process a ladder that must be climbed, step by step, with humility, vision, and integrity. Attempting to skip that journey only leads to a dangerous fall, one that not only dislocates the individual but can destabilize an entire movement.
Those who take an oath or give promises to serve with honor must respect their words. When leaders abandon moral responsibility in favor of personal ambition, they betray not only their party but the very people they claim to serve. That is the real danger we are facing today.
Choosing Talib as flagbearer in 2026 would not just be a strategic mistake it would be a fatal one. His candidacy risks dividing the party, weakening its foundations, and alienating the very base that has kept it alive. A leader who cannot uphold basic moral obligations cannot inspire national trust. He cannot carry the torch of Ousainou Darboe, nor can he preserve the legacy of struggle, sacrifice, and sincerity that defines the UDP.
To the delegates, supporters, and decision-makers within the UDP: do not let youthful charm blind you to dangerous ambition. We cannot afford to gamble the future of this party on someone who is willing to compromise its values for self-interest.
We must not choose a leader who can be easily manipulated. We must not entrust our future to someone who lacks conviction and clarity of purpose. Talib still has much to learn, especially from the wisdom and experience of President Darboe. The truth is, he is not yet ready. He is not the leader we need at this critical moment.
And let me pose a serious question, assuming we choose him as our candidate, how do we, with any moral authority, hold President Barrow accountable for his broken promises and failed obligations, many of which UDP has courageously challenged, if our own candidate cannot uphold his word?
If our standard for leadership crumbles at the altar of convenience, then we lose the very foundation upon which we criticize and demand accountability from others. Integrity must begin at home. Otherwise, we lose the moral ground to lead or to call out failure in others.
The weight of President Ousainou is very heavy, carring that needs a strong strength morally. His bar is very high, our young ones have a lot to do in order to surpass that level. I respectfully urge them to go back to the drawing board and do the practical lessons internally, we shall evaluate and if they are good to go, we will push them to the task and support them. Until then, Darboe is a Class.
