
United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Lawyer Ousainou Darboe has shrugged off the recent wave of resignations that hit his party, insisting the departure of some members will not shake the UDP’s foundation.
His comments come just days after Talib Bensouda and several other UDP supporters quit the party to form a new political movement, a move that has generated political buzz ahead of the 2026 election.
But speaking to supporters during a gathering in Europe, the veteran politician urged calm, assuring loyalists that the party remains “rock solid.”
“We sacked eight MPs in 2018 and a dozen key figures who used to run politics in our party left and joined the President, and UDP didn’t die, it will never die,” Darboe said to applause.
He reminded his supporters of the 2018 internal rift, when President Adama Barrow dismissed him as vice president and several UDP lawmakers sided with Barrow, leading to their expulsion from the party.
“So, don’t be bothered by those leaving,” he told the cheering crowd.
“Have faith and hope, we will win, and UDP will triumph in the 2026 election.”